Public Cemeteries of Benin City: Examining a Neglected Dimension of Urban Nigeria

Abstract

Creating a sustainable urban landscape demands adequate provision for all categories of land use and the effective management of such spaces. However, urban management in Nigeria appears to pay little attention to space for the dead as can be observed in the poor physical and environmental conditions of public cemeteries. This situation amounts to an omission of, as well as a failure in, the duty to plan for, and effectively manage, all urban land needs. This paper investigates the three public cemeteries in Benin City to ascertain their physical and environmental conditions and management practices. Data for this study was gathered through primary and secondary sources: the cemeteries and their surroundings were physically inspected; data on cemetery management obtained directly from the responsible local officials; other data came from literature, publications and the archives. The findings confirm all three cemeteries to be in a neglected state; are challenged by a dearth of skilled staff, the absence of modern equipment and management techniques; and, being fenced-off from public view and almost always in an overgrown state, effectively are excluded from the urban environment. The recommendations are for an overhaul of these facilities and the institution of modern management charged with a mission to create environmentally-friendly, physically attractive and visually accessible cemeteries.

Burial leakage: A human accustomed groundwater contaminant sources and health hazards study near cemeteries in Benin City, Nigeria

“…Inorganic and organic components that have the potential to contaminate various environmental media, including groundwater, may be released due to the deterioration and decomposition of human bodies and casket components over time. Several studies from different parts of the World including Australia, Brazil, Iran, South Africa, Portugal, United States of America and United Kingdom have demonstrated that interment of human remains after death has potential of contaminating groundwater [ 8 – 18 ]. In addition to serving as the final resting place for bodies, cemeteries also house the coffins and caskets used for interment.…”

“…Also, most of the cemeteries in Nigeria are not provided with wellhead protection program contaminant-source inventories; hence the groundwater quality is often not monitored for possible contaminations from burial leak. The potential health risk that may result from the impact of cemeteries on groundwater quality is not often given enough attention in Nigeria [ 18 ]. Consequently, cemeteries are frequently situated close to settlements and within the influence of water sources since they have never been considered to pose a serious risk of environmental contamination [ 18 ].…”

“…The potential health risk that may result from the impact of cemeteries on groundwater quality is not often given enough attention in Nigeria [ 18 ]. Consequently, cemeteries are frequently situated close to settlements and within the influence of water sources since they have never been considered to pose a serious risk of environmental contamination [ 18 ].…”

Estimation of Embalming Contaminants in Soil and Groundwater Samples From Cemetery Leachates in Mbaiorbo, Mbadim-Mbatiav Leachfield in Gboko, Nigeria

“…This problem is long recognized with evidence of negative effects as far back as 1800s [1]. Land use for cemeteries, interment in coffin and casket is widely practiced but its impacts have not received significant attention in Nigeria [2]. Decomposition of human remains begins almost right after death, just about after 4 minutes [3].…”

Influence of Third Cemetery Location on the Quality of Domestic and Groundwater Resources in Benin City, Nigeria

“…Several impacts of traditional land uses have been reported with respect to groundwater contamination potential (Ikem et al, 2002). Land use for cemeteries; interment in coffin and casket is widely practiced, but its possible impacts have not received significant attention in Nigeria (Onwuanyi et al, 2017). In Benin City, major cemeteries are located close to human residential areas.…”