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The Lagos State Government has closed a construction site designated for a proposed cemetery in a residential area of Bode Thomas, Surulere, following protests from residents of the Natufe/Animashaun community who expressed environmental and health concerns.
Residents organized a peaceful demonstration on Saturday morning, despite heavy rain, warning that establishing a cemetery in their neighborhood would contaminate their borehole water and pose a risk to public health.
The protesters, holding placards with messages such as “No Cemetery in Our Community,” gathered at the site, a large plot of land surrounded by homes, a church, and a school. They accused the developer, identified as Olumide Amure, of ignoring their previous objections and resuming construction without considering residents’ safety.
In response to the situation, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, assured residents that the government has taken firm action to stop the project.
“The burial ground site has been sealed, and no such project will be developed there. The community need not worry,” Omotoso stated in a press release on Saturday.
Community leaders indicated that this was not the first time the developer had attempted to establish a burial ground in the area. Mrs. Omolabake Braimoh, Chairperson of the Natufe/Animashaun Community Development Association (CDA), recalled that residents had previously opposed a similar initiative two years ago.
“The developer attempted this before, and we opposed it. Now he has resumed construction, working day and night. We heard he plans to create two cemeteries: one for adults here and another for children nearby. We do not use pipe-borne water; our boreholes are our only source, and this project will contaminate it,” she explained.
She added that the CDA had submitted petitions to the Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and would send further letters to relevant state agencies to ensure the project remains halted.
Additionally, a former CDA chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Olaniyan, stated that the community had previously petitioned government authorities, which led to the suspension of the same developer’s earlier attempt.
“During my tenure, this same developer was stopped after we escalated the matter from the local government to the state level. We have all the documentation. I don’t believe Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu would approve such a project,” Olaniyan asserted.
He cautioned that constructing a cemetery in a densely populated residential area would present significant health risks.
“Once burials commence here, the groundwater will be polluted, affecting everyone. This is not development; it’s an invitation to disaster. The community will resist it again,” he added.
When contacted, Mr. Amure, the developer, stated he would respond later. However, at the time of this report, he had not provided a statement or replied to follow-up inquiries.
Meanwhile, government officials confirmed that the site would remain sealed pending further investigation, reiterating that no cemetery would be permitted within the residential zone.
What were the residents' main concerns regarding the cemetery?
Residents were primarily concerned that establishing a cemetery in their neighborhood would contaminate their borehole water and pose health risks to the community.
What actions did the Lagos State Government take in response to the protests?
The Lagos State Government sealed the construction site and assured residents that no cemetery would be developed in the area.
Has the developer responded to the community's protests?
The developer, Mr. Olumide Amure, stated he would respond later, but as of the report, he had not provided any statement or reply to inquiries.
