A new partnership between the St Mary Municipal Corporation and the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is set to improve conditions at the overgrown Port Maria Cemetery.
The burial ground, once maintained with clear walkways for visitors, has in recent times become heavily overrun with bushes and vines, making access difficult for those wishing to pay respects. Municipal officials have consistently cited a lack of funding as a major challenge in maintaining cemeteries across the parish.
Mayor of Port Maria Fitzroy Wilson described the collaboration as a significant step forward, noting that the initiative, launched on Tuesday, brings both practical and social benefits.
He explained that while the municipal corporation will supply tools and materials, inmates from the correctional system will provide labour. This arrangement allows the council to redirect funds that would typically be spent on maintenance to other needs, including improvements to sanitary facilities.
Wilson also pointed out that the cemetery is nearing capacity and generates limited revenue, further complicating upkeep efforts.
Chief Executive Officer of the municipal corporation, Ethlyn Douglas, indicated that approximately $1.6 million will be spent on equipment, tools, and refreshments to support the project.
Superintendent Alfred Duncan, who oversees the Richmond Farm Adult Correctional Centre, welcomed the initiative, describing it as a meaningful collaboration. He said inmates will work on the clean-up over a three-month period, operating from Mondays to Thursdays, with team size depending on the availability of correctional officers.
Councillor for the Port Maria Division, Corrine Dillon-McDonald, also expressed support for the project, noting longstanding concerns about the cemetery’s condition. She said the clean-up effort is a positive development but emphasized the need for a sustainable, long-term maintenance plan to ensure the space remains accessible and respectful for visitors.
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