By Daniel Tyokua
The Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) said it is considering involvement of the private sector in the management of cemeteries in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Director of AEPB, Engr Osilama Braimah, who disclosed this in Abuja, recently noted that involving the private sector in management of cemeteries in the nation’s capital would led to improved services.
Braimah, however, added that engaging the private sector would also mean an increase in service charges, adding that involving the private sector in cemetery management is a common practice all over the world.
“The private sector will charge for maintenance. They will charge for the plot allocation and they will also charge for other services, which will increase the cost of cemetery services in the territory.”
He revealed that already a committee has been set up to work out ways of bringing in the private sector in the management of the cemeteries.
According to him, applications have been received by the board from interested private sectors.
The director said there are also plans to introduce cremation services for some foreign nationals, such as the Indians, the Chinese and others nationals living in the territory, that might die and needs cremation services in the FCT.
He explained that at the moment, there was no provision for cremation services in the territory, adding that some nationals from India and China, who die in the nation’s capital are often transported, at a very high cost, to Lagos for cremation services.
Braimah said the committee is also working towards incorporating cremation services in the FCT, so that foreign nationals can receive the service in the nation’s capital.
He explained that in the Abuja master, phase two of the FCC, there are provisions for six proposed plots for cemeteries, in which only two, located at Gudu and Gwarimpa districts, are presenting being used, while in phase three of the master plan, there are provisions for 17 proposed plots.for cemeteries, in which only two are presently in use.
