Efforts under way to clean up cemetery
THE Ministry of Public Works has intensified efforts to revamp the historic Le Repentir Cemetery, which, according to Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn, has become a “national embarrassment”. Minister Benn made this disclosure during a media briefing on Friday at the Ministry of Local Government, Kingston.
“We have set up a small multi-stakeholder ad hoc committee to do some work in respect to the cleaning up (of the cemetery). It is an historic site and has become an eyesore and a national embarrassment,” he said.
He noted that works have already started at the cemetery, which will now be accelerated by the additional funds provided by central government to the City Council for the continuation of the project.
Last Wednesday, President Bharrat Jagdeo intervened and offered a financial bailout to the Georgetown City Council, to relieve the institution of its ongoing financial woes; he announced that the government will be paying $80 million in rates and taxes to the council and injecting $120 million into the municipality to help meet its outstanding liabilities and to accelerate its efforts to keep the city clean.
In addition, a further $15 million will be provided by the central government to the City Council for cleaning up Le Repentir cemetery.
As to the benefits of the additional funds, Benn revealed that, along with interventions mentioned by President Jagdeo, the Ministry will be implementing a programme to advance  work at the cemetery.
Benn reminded of the situation that existed earlier this year before the closure of the Mandela landfill site, when the cemetery was overrun with garbage, and he noted that efforts are underway to facilitate the final closure of the Mandela Landfill Site.
He explained, “This involves the covering of the garbage that spilled over to the gates of the cemetery. The Mandela site is advancing towards final closure now that the Haags Bosch waste disposal site is in operation.”