THE siting of a mortuary, Williamsons Funeral Home Services, along Olorunda-Abaa Road, Akobo-Ojurin area, Ibadan has pitted the operator of the mortuary, Dr Olatunji Ogundipe, against the residents of the area, especially Isokan Estate Landlords and Residents Association.The modern mortuary, Nigerian Tribune learnt, was commissioned for operation this year and since it began operation, the residents have frowned at the psychological and health implication of such investment in their area.Through several petitions, the Isokan Landlords and Residents have petitioned the state government. In a letter dated January 31st, 2012 and addressed to the governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Isiaq Ajimobi, the residents' body intimated the state government of their stance on the siting of Williamson Mortuary at the estate.'It was with dismay that we noticed the development on a plot of land in the estate which appeared alien to the primary aim for which it was registered i.e residential. The plot on which the strange construction is being executed is bounded by two residential plots, at advanced construction stages and a community event centre along the main. We assumed that the project in question could be probably residential or at most a community departmental store, until of recent when found out that it is a mortuary.'Our further probe revealed an astonishing fact that the Lagelu Local Government Planning Authority that approved Isokan Estate as a residential estate also went ahead to give approval for a mortuary within the same estate.'We sincerely assumed it was an error or at most an oversight on the part of the Lagelu Local Government Town Planning Authority. While we acknowledge the importance of planning for the dead, we want to believe that such facilities are not to be sited within a registered residential estate. It is against the Urban and Regional Planning Edict,' the petition stated.Through the petition, they called on the state governor to relocate the mortuary to an appropriate place away from the estate. It further enumerated the danger the facility posed to the residents' health.In a reaction, the operator of Williamsons Funeral Home Services, Dr Ogundipe, said he had remained silent over the issue purposely because he didn't want to embarrass the government as he underwent proper verification before commencing operation.In an interview with Nigerian Tribune, Ogundipe said ' As a retired director in the federal civil service and a physician, I cannot do anything contrary to the law of the land. At my age, my aim of setting up the fun-eral home as a physician is to set standard in the sector in Ibadan and not really to enrich myself. Several of it abound in Lagos."Ogundipe, who said he is a member of British Certified Embalmers said he was surprised at the residents' opposition over his choice of business. He added that he ensured that he went through all normal processes before he started operation. In a report of planning and environment impart analysis on Williamsons Funeral Home Services packaged by a consultant, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune, the morgue was reported on page 63 of the report to have satisfied all the requirements needed for its operation.The section is grouped under public health, public protection, fire protection, aesthetic and urban design and animal fauna among others. From the 115 obtainable points, Williamsons Funeral Home was scored 99 by the consultant, a basis Ogundipe said the local government in question approved the business but the residents are singing a different tune.'I ensured that I had all necessary papers authorising this kind of business, hence I forged ahead. But I was surprised when Isokan Estate people just rose up against me. I learnt of the petition they wrote against me and I can tell you all what they put in are cooked up stories. They know I am operating with the backing of the law and approval from the appropriate quarters, there is no point in worrying myself.'In an interview with Nigerian Tribune, secretary of Isokan Estate Landlords and Residents Association, Mrs Omowumi Esther Akande, said they had passed the stage of petitioning the state government, she said what we now want to know from the state government is why the operator of the funeral home has not yielded to the quit order given by the state government."Nigerian Tribune having confirmed that Williamsons Funeral Home Services was authorised as also stated in the petition of the Isokan Estate Landlords Association.However, the special adviser to Senator Abiola Ajimobi on Physical Planning and Urban Development, Alhaji Waheed Gbadamosi, in a letter dated April 24th,2012 with reference number SA/PPUD/18/Vol.18 wrote to withdraw the approval given to the Williamsons Funeral Home Services.The letter reads 'I have been directed to communicate the withdrawal of the planning approval to operate a mortuary within a purely residential area. In addition, it was discovered that your planning application was not supported with an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR).'The bone of contention between the residents and the operator of Williamsons Funeral Homes Services is when will the operator of the morgue take to government's order of withdrawal of his planning approved through the Special Adviser to the governor'Other factors Nigerian Tribune learnt are giving the residents of Isokan Estate sleepless nights apart from health issue as mentioned by Mrs Akande is the state of mental status of the residents.She added "You can imagine our children living with the consciousness that their next neighbours are corpses. The government who gave the approval has withdrawn it, what we're expecting is for the government to come and effect the quit notice they have given," she concluded.Mrs Akande informed Nigerian Tribune that the association is poised to ensure full compliance of the order. She said 'the issue is nothing but `health matter. Our health is gradually deteriorating following the use of killer chemicals by the morgue operator. His operation is a threat to our lives, our researches have shown that waters being used by the operator can find its way into some wells around the area.'Aside health concern, Mrs Akande hinted that the location of the morgue has been 'affecting the residents socially, spiritually and psychologically. We plead that the government should be responsive to our plight before the effects on us manifest more than this,' she said.
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