KSAC bans private vault building at May Pen cemetery

Claudienne Edwards

Friday, July 16, 2010

THE Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) has barred private contractors from building vaults at the May Pen Cemetery.

The disclosure was made by Mayor Desmond McKenzie during Tuesday's council meeting. He said that the decision was taken after officers observed a vault being constructed at the cemetery on Monday, without any steel, he said.

The poor construction of vaults at the burial grounds has resulted in some of them collapsing, he said.

"My nephew is to be buried at the cemetery this week but I have given instructions that if the grave is not properly constructed, the funeral will not be allowed," McKenzie said.

The mayor also said that orders had been given for the gates of the cemetery to be closed between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am.

He said that some persons would go to the cemetery in the dead of night and leave decomposing bodies without the knowledge of the KSAC.

The mayor said that he would be meeting with undertakers on Monday.

Recently, workers cleaning up the cemetery found more than one dozen bones.

However, it is still not clear whether the bones were brought there or were from broken graves.

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COMMENTS (7)

simply smart
7/16/2010

Brother Desmond is proceeding as if the bones which were found are from badly built graves rather than from bodies deliberately put there to decompose by criminal elements in our island ...
The Cemetery want a whole scale overall ... I'm sure we have seen funeral on TV... trust me is so foreign cemetery really look.... ORGANISED ,.... SECURE .. CLEAN !!!

Frata Sims
7/16/2010

Why doesn't McKenzie stop pushing the operation thrust of the KSAC, and instead engage his mind (assuming that he is capable of so doing) in the policy making areas of governance of the City Council?

Sonny Black
7/16/2010

As usual something has to broken or destroyed beyond repair in Jamaica before we attempt to fix it. Institutions such as Court houses, Police Stations, Hospitals and now the Cemetary. I sometimes wonder where as our Pride, Dignity and Self respect gone to, i cant describe the embarrassment i felt when i saw all those bones scattered all over. In most countries a cemetary is a final resting place which is treated with respect but in jamaica even when you die you cant rest in peace, shame ,shame.

Jaye Stone
7/16/2010

We have become a nation of bandits, and have even become resentful towards law and order, as toeing the line does not pay.

Jacqueline Samms
7/16/2010

Dis graceful! my family is buried there and for years we've not been able to go in there.

Nicolas Henry
7/16/2010

Once again, I will say thanks to DUDUS. If it wasn't for him & the bungled extradition request, the May Pen cemetary would only continue seeing the dead burying the dead. Wow, we now have rules and regulation enforcement. What a big over night accomplishment. Prime minister visits & all the big shots. My dead grand aunt that I never met, is buried in that cemetary. She must be smiling. I always wanted to visit her grave, but her kids told me gunmen might rob or kill us if we visit.

Brooklyn Jamaican
7/16/2010

Mr Mayor how about setting standards and having engineers verify as opposed to an outright ban?

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KSAC bans private vault building at May Pen cemetery