Babu Jaan, memorial site for former Presidents neglected

Sep 06, 2015 News

The Babu Jaan shrine has been turned into a dumpsite.

Most countries take pride in preserving their heritage sites, but over the past 23 years, the previous PPP government has been accused of neglecting and desecrating such facilities throughout Guyana.

One such facility is the Babu Jaan Crematorium Site, which serves as a memorial to former Executive Presidents Cheddi and Janet Jagan.

Every year, thousands of PPP supporters trek to the site to celebrate the lives of the two founding leaders of Guyana.

But today, not many will see Babu Jaan as a place where the remains of two of Guyana’s greatest leaders were cremated.

The facility, which is an historic site and falls under the National Trust is in a disgraceful state.

And residents are saying that it is a shame for the previous administration that revered the two former Presidents so much to have paid so little interest in maintaining the facility, especially since the former rulers would trek to the site every year for memorial services.

The place, which is situated next to a number of homes, is unsightly and is littered with all sorts of waste, from dead animals to kitchen and industrial waste, including old vehicles, tree trimmings, poultry waste, and discarded beverage bottles among other unmentionable stuff.

The area reeks of an unbearable stench and the constant black smoke that emanates from the area makes it unsightly.

What is also surprising is that the area is also used as a lover’s lane by persons in vehicles.

Speaking to the media, Region Six Chairman, David Armogan stated that it is the Johns/Port Mourant Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) that has responsibility for maintenance of the area.

Armogan stated that the NDC is quite capable of taking care of the situation.

“The NDC as well as the Regional Democratic Council is an extension of Government, so it is our responsibility to do something about it.”

At one time personnel attached to the Johns/Port Mourant NDC regularly cleaned the site under the Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) project. That project has however ended.

The Regional Chairman is calling on residents to be more responsible in the disposal of solid waste. He said that residents have an obligation to take on social and community responsibilities. According to Armogan, padlocks will be placed on the gates soon to prevent persons from taking their vehicles to dump their garbage in the area.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Johns/Port Mourant NDC, Zamin Ally stated that many business persons from other areas, including Rose Hall Town, Port Mourant and Albion would take their solid waste to the Babu Jaan Crematorium Site to be disposed of. This he declared is illegal.

The NDC Chairman noted that the Council at one time received information that a hospital was dumping its waste at Babu Jaan facility.

He said that in the past, signs were placed along the entrance to the Crematorium Site, but they have been removed.

Khan stated that the Regional Administration has been approached to assist with security personnel for the area, especially at nights.