The Borno State Government has announced the closure of the Gwange Muslim and Old GRA Christian cemeteries in Maiduguri, the state capital.
This decision will take effect on Sunday, 1st September, 2024. The closure was officially confirmed by Mohammed Lawan Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, in a statement released on Wednesday.
Abubakar explained that the closure was necessary due to the overcrowding of both cemeteries, which had become a source of health hazards for the surrounding communities.
With space running out for burials, the state government saw it as a pressing issue to address in order to safeguard public health.
To accommodate future burials, the Borno State Government has made alternative arrangements.
The Muslim community has been directed to use the Dalori Cemetery, located along Bama Road, while the Christian community is to utilize the Maximum Security Christian Cemetery, situated off Baga Road in Maiduguri.
In the statement, Abubakar emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring that additional burial sites are developed as the city continues to grow.
This plan is part of a broader Government Development Plan aimed at addressing the infrastructural needs of Maiduguri’s expanding population.
“The Borno State Government is committed to ensuring that more burial sites are opened as the town expands in line with the Government Development Plan. The government assures the good people of the state that adequate arrangements will be made in the short and long term to address all concerns,” Abubakar stated.
In a move to further support the community, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has also purchased six vehicles that will be used to assist the public in transporting corpses to the designated graveyards.
This effort is part of the state government’s strategy to ease the transition to the new cemeteries and ensure that the burial process remains dignified and efficient.
The closure of these cemeteries marks a significant change for the residents of Maiduguri, but the government has pledged to address the challenges that may arise and to continue prioritizing the welfare of its citizens.
