Concern over burial grounds

CONCERNS have been raised about the effects of heavy rain on the Suva, Vatuwaqa and Nasinu cemeteries with calls for a stop on burials on the hillsides of these graveyards.

Lami resident Ernest Turagasau said since towns and cities were extending their boundaries, these burial sites were exposed in plain urban sight.

Mr Turagasau said the Nasinu cemetery was quickly extending its boundaries adding that it was situated in an area that was developing fast.

Another resident Mumtaz Begg said there was a need to move these cemeteries to ensure that visitors entering Suva from the West and entering Suva City through Nausori International Airport were not greeted with the sight of the dead.

Ms Begg said cemeteries needed to be moved to a plateau and out from urban areas.

She added as the number of deaths increased, there was a need for extension of cemeteries adding she was wondering if town developers ever thought of this.

When asked if there were any plans for the future extension of cemeteries in the Central Division, Commissioner Central Josefa Navuku said his office was not directly involved with the Wainibuku cemetery since it was under the responsibility of the Fiji Corrections Service.

Mr Navuku said the extensions of these cemeteries were development needs and challenges that they needed to factor into their five and 10-year development plans.

“We need to ask ourselves what are the effective means of dealing with something that happens on a daily basis,” he said.

“It is an issue that we as planners and development co-ordinators need to factor in our plans.

“There are big plans for new municipalities and these are the new issues that we need to think of as part of our provincial plans.

“Utilities and key services such as cemeteries need to be factored in our plans.”