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Crematorium for opening in March
The hassle associated with burying the dead at Le Repentir Cemetery may soon be over, with the city’s first crematorium set for completion, within a matter of days.
Chairman of the Markets and Public Health Committee, of the Georgetown Mayor and City Council, Ranwell Jordan, told media operatives last Friday that the facility, which is being constructed in a section of Le Repentir Cemetery is set to be commissioned on March 1. However, that seems unlikely given the status of the construction.
The Crematorium under construction at Le Repentir
Jordan said that the abysmal condition of Le Repentir and the possibility of erecting a crematorium has been a topic of discussion within the council for some time.
“Given the current state of Le Repentir Cemetery, we are very pleased to announce that the citizens of Georgetown will finally have a method of catering to their interment needs.”
As he highlighted some of the current challenges associated with burials at the Cemetery, Jordan said that the new crematorium will offer ‘state of the art’ service to the Guyanese public.
“We have long outlived the cemetery, there is often a problem to find space to bury the dead at that establishment but the new facility will not only relieve citizens of the burden of finding a place for burial but there will be special sections for preparations; where the dead will be bathe and clothed.”
There will be separate entrances for the dead. Urns will be available for selection as some families will choose to keep the ashes of their loved ones. There will also be a special area for viewing the dead, where relatives can sit to mourn their loss.
The crematorium will also accommodate a Chapel, a Mosque and a Hindu temple.
During a recent visit, the media were shown pictures of what the structures will look like and from all appearances it will be a state of the art facility nestled among a landscape of flowers.
According to Councillor Jordan, work at the facility being carried out by a private investor, Dr Carl Niamatali, is moving apace.
When questioned about the financial aspect of the project, Jordan said that members of the committee are not privy to the monetary details of the undertaking.
However, Jordan said that he understands that the project is funded through a number of overseas based entities.
“The documents are with the Council’s administration. On March 12, members of the committee will be meeting with the developer to peruse in detail, documents pertaining to the financial aspects of the project.”
Kaieteur News understands that the site for crematorium has been leased to Niamatali and based on the agreement, he will further undertake to improve sections of the cemetery.
“Dr Niamatali has promised that the cemetery will take on a new look to improve the overall development of the city of Georgetown.”
But when contacted, Dr Niamatali declined to comment on the project.
Expressing support for the project, Deputy Mayor Patricia Chase Greene noted that a crematorium is a step in the right direction. The Deputy Mayor announced that a massive sensitization campaign will be launched to educate citizens on the benefits of the facility.
“The council is extremely happy to have such a facility in Guyana; it will be the first of its kind. However, people have been confusing a crematorium with a cremation site, where the actual burning of the dead is done in the open.
“This is a crematorium; everything will be done via technology, and will not have any harmful effects on the environment and therefore we will welcome it.”
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