Lands identified for cemetery in Sandy Bay

WITH SPACE running out at the Hopewell cemetery, in Hanover, and fears mounting that the residents could soon find themselves without a place to bury their dead, the parish’s municipal corporation has indicated that lands have been identified in Sandy Bay, which are to be developed into a cemetery.

It was revealed during last Thursday’s monthly meeting of the Hanover Municipal Corporation (HMC) that two parcels of land have been identified in the Zion area of Sandy Bay, which were previously reserved for a cemetery, but were not being used. The land is to be developed and should be ready for use within two months.

Speaking with The Gleaner following the meeting, Lucea Mayor Sheridan Samuels, who is also chairman of the HMC, said he recently visited the site with other councillors and technocrats from the municipal corporation.

“We visited the location on Monday, four councillors and the technocrats from the HMC. We located the lands, and we spoke to an officer from the National Land Agency (NLA) who told us that there were two parcels of land there reserved for a cemetery,” said Samuels, who noted that one of the parcels is about four acres but he was unsure of the size of the other.

With water already available at the location, Samuels believes that once a proper access road is created, the location will be ready to start accommodating burials.

“The administrative arm of the HMC, through the chief executive officer (CEO), will direct us as to how quickly we can have access to the lands for burial purposes, and as long as there is no technical hitch that should be soon,” said Samuels.

Additionally, the HMC has not given up on its plans to expand the Hopewell cemetery as plans are under way to acquire an adjoining property to create new burial spaces.

Because the old Sandy Bay cemetery ran out of space some years ago, residents from that community have been using the Hopewell cemetery to bury their dead. Additionally, because Hopewell is in proximity to Montego Bay, St James, residents of Montego Bay have also been utilising the cemetery.