Dear Editor,
On Friday September 12, 2014 our family chose to bury a family member in the Le Repentir Cemetery on a plot of land to the northern side of the crematorium. We were appalled at the precarious bridge, as seen in the attached photograph, which we had to walk over to get to the graveside; not only the mourners but also the pall bearers bearing the coffin had to navigate over this dangerously leaning and uncertain walkway.
Many of the deceased’s loved ones were denied their final moments at the graveside with their loved one. They had to remain in their vehicles not by choice but by compulsion.
The deceased, aged 93 years with siblings and some family members and friends close to her age range including her physically handicapped daughter, all had to stay behind while the last rites were being performed at the graveside because they could not cross this precariously leaning bridge. Some of the elderly were using walking sticks which could not be accommodated owing to the narrow width of the bridge, while the handicapped needed a specific kind of support; even some younger persons preferred to stay behind since they were unsure of the steadiness of the bridge.
Are the authorities not aware of this bridge? Do they not care about offering the public a complete service especially when, because of the low lands inundated with water, the cost of the burial was increased by $45,000?
Now that this matter has been brought to the attention of the authorities at city council, we the citizens of Georgetown and users of this service demand the construction of a proper wood or concrete bridge to cater for all users such as those mentioned in my letter. I hasten to say, God forbid, it could be only a matter of time before pall bearers and coffin fall overboard navigating this and other such bridges in the cemetery. Some persons have said to me, “You are lucky they even have a bridge for you to walk over.” Well, what next are we to expect? This is a disservice to the people of Guyana.
Please Mr Mayor and Councillors, erect a proper bridge for persons to comfortably walk over with ease and confidence.
Yours faithfully,
Maria Rodrigues
