Lagos Community protests the construction of the cemetery, mother developer

The residents of Natufe Summer and his surroundings in Surulere, Lagos, during the weekend, challenged heavy rains to stage a protest against the alleged construction of a cemetery within their residential community.

The demonstrators converged in the construction site, a large expanse of land delimited by residential buildings, a school, a church and located a few meters from the traffic light of Bode Thomas Junction. Singing “no cemetery” and other slogans that shake signs to emphasize their disapproval for the proposed burial.

Speaking with journalists, the president of the Natufe/Animashaun Community Development Association (Board of Directors), Alhaja Omolabake Aminat Braimoh, articulated the firm opposition of the community to the project.

“This man tried more than two years ago and we opposed. Suddenly, we noticed that he started the construction again and is working day and night to achieve his purpose. So, we are again saying no again because a cemetery is not good here,” he said.

Alhaja Braimoh expressed serious concerns about health implications. “We have heard that he wants to build a cemetery for adults here and one for children about three isolates away. We don’t want it. Look around, this is a residential neighborhood. We have children and the elderly here. We have schools, churches and properties here.

He confirmed that the Board of Directors had written to the President of Coker-Aguda LCDA and plans to send more letters to the relevant government agencies to stop the developer.

“We do not want to take the laws in our hands and that’s why we are following the right trial,” he added, observing that the works started during the EID holidays, ignoring the disapproval of the community.

A former President of the Board of Directors, Olanwaju Olaniyan, corroborated the past fight, stating that the developer, Olumide Amure, had tried the same construction years ago and had been “fought for a detention”. Olaniyan expressed disbelief for any alleged approval, affirming his trust that the governor Babajide Sanwo-Oell would never have granted this authorization.

“We will not allow him to pollute our land. We will not allow him to kill us all because what he is trying to do is bring an epidemic for those of us who live here,” said Olaniyan, reiterating the concerns about the pollution of the waters of the well.

Olaniyan revealed that 11 petitions were sent to relevant agencies during the developer’s initial attempt and confirmed that the community would follow the same action course this time.

The councilor who represents Natufe/animashaun Ward at the local government said he was not aware of any approval for a cemetery in the position.

He confirmed that he received a complaint from the board and undertook to forward him to the relevant authorities, agreeing on the fact that “a cemetery is not suitable in that place”.

When he was contacted for his reaction Saturday, the developer, Olumide Amure, told this journalist that he would be “reported” and begged the time to provide a detailed response.