The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS) is now responsible for the operations of the Good Hope Cremation site on the East Coast Demerara (ECD), which it plans to develop.
A notice in yesterday’s edition of the Guyana Chronicle, effective from June 1, 2012, advised of several procedures now expected to be followed regarding cremations at the Good Hope site.
Persons must first obtain permission from the Health Ministry to carry out the cremation, make a payment of $4,000 to the GHDS at its office in Prashad Nagar, take copies of the permits to the police at the Vigilance Police Station, the Lusignan Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and the Health Centre at Beterverwagting.
According to the notice, only the GHDS is authorised to collect monies as regards cremations at the site.
Businessman Bert Sukhai is a member of a committee which is currently implementing plans to develop the site and, according to him, the GHDS is the main driving force behind the initiative.
He explained that several years ago, a broad-based committee was formed, which included members of the GHDS as well as officials of the Lusignan NDC and the improvement of the surroundings at the crematorium was within its mandate.
He added that the plans were put on paper, but because of a lack of cooperation, the plans stalled.
He said the GHDS subsequently approached the Ministry of Local Govern-ment and made a request to improve the operations at the crematorium. The organisation was granted approval to carry out its pans and Sukhai said the body is working to ensure that the site is enhanced.
Among the short term plans is the raising of the land and he noted that weather conditions, mainly heavy rainfall usually affect the area.
He said the road to the area is also being examined while at the site, benches and more comfortable washroom facilities will be installed. He added that among the long-term plans is the construction of a pavilion to the tune of some $15 million.
