THE CONTENTIOUS ISSUE concerning the subcontracting of the digging of graves at Westbury Cemetery has been resolved: the practice has been discontinued.
Minister of the Environment Denis Lowe, speaking yesterday after touring the newly refurbished chapel in Westbury Cemetery, with Sanitation Service Authority board members, told the MIDWEEK NATION that “the creeping practice” had been “nipped in the bud”.
“It was never a policy to be undertaken but when these things are not monitored enough, things like these can creep in, but whatever the arrangement was it has been discontinued,” he stated.
“There will always be situations where there are differences between staff and once the situation is understood, then it is not beyond the capacity of the board of management,” he added.
The chapel, renovated at a cost of $290 000, can seat 150 people in air-conditioned comfort but has room at the back for more seating. The electricity system, however, has to be upgraded for compatability and that will be done shortly.
Lowe said the board of management had decided to push the upgrading programme as part of Government’s overall development of the Sanitation Service Authority, but noted that the private sector would be engaged in upcoming projects.
The minister noted that the St James Cemetery and the Bushy Park chapels would be next on the list for upgrades. (CT)
