GEORGETOWN Mayor Hamilton Green has said that, with its present weekly  intake, the Le Repentir Cemetery in the capital city is fast overspilling, necessitating implementation of a proposal to open another burial ground on the East Coast of Demerara.
But, while there is no real progress on that project and given the urgent need to find more space for burying the dead, the City Council has mooted the idea of a restoration plan for Le Repentir, he said at a news conference last week.

Green said the estate for that is $23M and additional monies to prepare new land would make the total cost no less than $85M.

He said, in addition, about $10M would be required annually to maintain the standards set for the extension East of the existing facility and North of Sussex Street.

Green said the area identified was previously used for the same purpose at the turn of the 19th century when the tombs were not in use.

He explained that the site will have to be prepared and, because costs have increased considerably, it is hoped that civic-minded members of the public, as well as the Private Sector would contribute to the venture.

Chairman of the Advisory Committee on the Restoration of Le Repentir, Councillor Ranwell Jordan, speaking at the same forum, recalled that, some time ago, a group was identified to address the concerns and seek assistance from those who have their loved ones buried there.
He said, having been able to get the cooperation of a few such persons, including Councillor Malcolm De Freitas, they garnered $100,000 and, with the aid of the City Engineer’s Department, some citizens were mobilised and worked to restore some of the 23 Le Repentir sections.
However, Jordan said $23M more is needed to continue the undertaking.