Lagos State Government holds stakeholders’ meeting in Surulere to discuss proposed cemetery and address residents’ concerns

Lagos State Government has held a stakeholders’ engagement on the proposed cemetery project along Babs Animashaun Street, Surulere, as part of efforts to promote inclusive urban planning and community dialogue.

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Speaking at the meeting held at Eko Club, Surulere, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, stressed the importance of open consultation in planning public infrastructure.

“It is important to carry everyone concerned along to ensure a balanced review of critical planning proposals,” Olumide said.

He explained that the proposed cemetery was being considered to address the pressing need for a designated final resting place within Surulere, which currently lacks one.

According to him, the initiative aligns with the state’s policy of equitable infrastructure distribution, including medical and essential facilities, across all local government areas.

“Locating the cemetery within the informal space along Babs Animashaun Street is permissible, given Lagos’s dense population, limited land availability, and adherence to international best practices,” he added.

Olumide noted that Lagos State Government was determined to adopt creative and sustainable approaches to urban planning, saying that the project would ultimately benefit the wider Surulere community.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Physical Planning, Oluwole Sotire, said the engagement aimed to encourage dialogue, address grey areas, and reach mutual understanding among stakeholders.

He explained that the project proponents, Legacy Gardens, had revised their proposal following earlier feedback from residents, particularly regarding concerns about water contamination, safety, and security.

The Project Manager, Olumide Amure, outlined features of the proposed cemetery, including modern management facilities, street lighting, 24-hour CCTV surveillance, an efficient drainage system, and a 20-metre setback from surrounding buildings.

Town planners Risikat Bello and Sulaiman Raheem also presented the factors guiding the ministry’s review process, highlighting the technical and environmental considerations of the proposal.

Stakeholders at the meeting expressed diverse opinions on the project, ranging from environmental safety to community impact.

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The session concluded with an agreement to hold another stakeholders’ meeting soon to allow for further discussion and feedback on the proposed cemetery plan.