FOURTEEN burial grounds in Region 2, including La Belle Alliance – which is home to Damon Cross – were recently cleared of overgrown vegetation. Relatives and friends could now visit the tombs of their loved ones unhindered.

The clearing exercises were executed as part of Government’s Community Infrastructure Improvement Project (CIIP), which is being implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Water under the stewardship of Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali. The CIIP aims at improving access and aesthetics in communities across the country, while fostering greater community cohesion.

CIIP will directly benefit residents in the 65 Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) and target townships, while creating employment for more than 1,200 persons. Activities under this programme include: weeding parapets, cleaning residential drains, and clearing cemetery and crematorium grounds.

Works have commenced in several regions and the Ministry is currently preparing to roll out the programme in other areas. The first area of focus across the country is improving the grounds of cemeteries and clearing residential drains which are overgrown with vegetation.

As such, clearing exercises commenced in all NDCs and the Anna Regina Township in Region 2 on September 1. Some of the burial grounds were not cleared for decades and the grounds were inaccessible and unsafe. For instance, the historical La Belle Alliance Burial Ground was not cleared in about four decades.

The 17 labourers who worked to clear this ground were challenged by stubborn overgrown vegetation, Africanized bees, and dangerous snakes that converted the sappy areas into their homes.

According to Basil Persaud, Regional Community Enhancement Officer, clearing of the 3,920 ft X 200 ft burial ground is 50 percent completed. Clearing of this section came to an abrupt halt when workers encountered bee hives.

He noted that the Ministry is currently organising bee experts to remove the Africanized bee hives, since the safety of the workers and visitors are a top priority.

Other burial grounds that benefited from improvements include Charity, Better Hope, Andrews, Elisa, Three Friends Walton Hall, Cotton Field, Queenstown, Habadeen/ Zorg-en-Light, and Golden Fleece.

As a result of works by the Ministry, the Habadeen/Zorg-en-Light burial ground is now in an excellent condition. The 40 labourers who worked on this project ensured that every stump and weed was removed.

The Three Friends Walton Hall Burial Ground was cleared in three days by 52 workers. This site is approximately 150 sq ft and was not cleared in decades. Its improvement has now enhanced the physical landscape of the community.

Another burial ground that was in a deplorable condition and similar to others, was not cleared in decades is Elisa. While some burial grounds received minor clearing by residents over the years, it was evident that this was not the case with the Elisa ground.

Project Coordinator Karen Roopchand assured that continuity of similar exercises is a must. She noted that as vegetation begins to surface, workers attached to the various areas will be proactive rather than reactive. She also noted that several other initiatives are planned under the project, which will contribute towards cleaner, healthier and safer communities across the length and breadth of the country.