•We got meeting notice at midnight
•Physical Planning Commissioner defends project
Residents of Chief Natufe, Babs Animashaun and Bode Thomas areas of Surulere, Lagos, have again protested a proposed cemetery in their neighbourhood, accusing the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development of attempting to force the project on them.
The residents alleged that the plan, promoted by businessman Olumide Amure, poses grave health and environmental risks, particularly to their borehole water- the only source of clean water.
Their renewed agitation followed a stakeholder’s meeting conveyed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, at Eko Club, Surulere, yesterday.
According to the residents, notice of the meeting only got to them at midnight, and they could not mobilise their members since people left for their respective businesses and work places before dawn.
“The notice for this meeting was sent at 12am. There was no way to inform the core residents and CDA executives. Many had gone to work by morning. The meeting should have been rescheduled and proper notice given,” said Bayo Sanwo-Olu, one of the residents.
Similarly, Uche Umeweni, confirmed receiving the notice around midnight. “We got the message asking us to mobilise for a stakeholders’ meeting. By the time I saw it in the morning, people were already off to their businesses. It was clear the organisers didn’t want residents to attend,” he said.
Umeweni expressed disappointment that Commissioner Olumide, “was making a case for the cemetery instead of listening to residents’ concerns.”
A community leader questioned whose interest the commissioner was representing, alleging that he appeared more interested in defending the developer than protecting residents’ welfare.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu personally stopped this same project two years ago. When we protested in June, it was also stopped. Why is the commissioner now trying to revive it? Did he not see the schools, churches and houses surrounding the proposed site? Did he not hear that we drink from boreholes? A cemetery there will contaminate our water,” lamented a CDA leader.
The residents also queried why Amure failed to honour invitations from the State Assembly but attended a meeting convened by the ministry.
A former CDA chairman, Olanrewaju Olaniyan, warned that the community would resist any attempt to reintroduce the project.
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“The developer should know the consequences of his actions. We will not allow him to pollute our land and water. We have lived here for over 50 years; many of us are elderly. Bringing a cemetery here is like inviting an epidemic. We are begging him to consider a business that will develop, not destroy our community,” he declared.
Defending the proposal, Commissioner Olumide said the project was conceived to address the shortage of designated burial spaces in Surulere. He described it as part of the state’s broader infrastructure development plan to ensure equitable distribution of essential facilities across Lagos.
“Lagos is growing rapidly within a limited land space. We must adopt creative and inclusive planning to meet public needs. The proposed site meets global standards, and its location is permissible under state guidelines,” he said.
He urged residents to view the project objectively, saying it would benefit the entire local government area.
Supporting the commissioner, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Oluwole Sotire, said the developer, under the company name Legacy Gardens, had revised the original plan to reflect concerns raised by stakeholders. These, he said, included underground water safety, drainage, security, and proximity to residences.
Town planners Risikat Bello and Sulaiman Raheem also made presentations explaining the criteria used in reviewing the proposal.
On his part, Amure said the cemetery would be equipped with modern management facilities, including street lighting, CCTV surveillance, 24-hour security, and a 20-metre setback from surrounding properties. He added that the design incorporates a strategic drainage system to prevent flooding or groundwater contamination.
At the close of the meeting, ministry officials announced that another stakeholders’ meeting would be held soon to allow for broader participation and further discussions on the contentious proposal.