Contractors caught lighting fires to clear vegetation at Le Repentir Cemetery will be fired without payment for the work and could face prosecution, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand warned yesterday, after some workers resorted to burning bush instead of using cutting tools.
Manickchand said several contractors had breached clear instructions prohibiting fires at the burial ground, causing inconvenience to nearby residents and road users and creating a dangerous situation in the face of extremely dry conditions.
“Some people will be fired today because in addition to, well, instead of weeding with a cutlass or a slasher, they decided they were going to light fires across this burial ground so that they could finish this easy,” the minister said during a visit to the site.
She described the conduct as dishonest and lazy, saying the contractors had been specifically instructed during meetings to use slashers, cutlasses, hoses and rakes to clear the vegetation.
“Everybody said they understood and still people came here and did the opposite of what we asked. They cannot stay on the project. They will not be paid for the project,” Manickchand said.
She warned that any other contractor found lighting a fire would also be dismissed. “You light a fire, today will be your last day again, like the last day for some people was yesterday,” she said.
The ministry subsequently reiterated that burning was prohibited anywhere on the cemetery grounds and warned that offenders could face charges and prosecution.
Manickchand apologised to residents and road users for the inconvenience caused by the burning which started on Friday, assuring them that action was being taken to extinguish fires and ensure the contracted workers followed the prescribed methods.
The clean-up began several days ago as part of the ministry’s efforts to improve the condition of public spaces, including burial grounds and play parks. Manickchand said the initiative was intended to ensure that people could access these facilities with greater dignity and care.
She noted that the cemetery serves people visiting deceased relatives as well as families using the grounds for burials, circumstances that can already be emotionally difficult.
The ministry hired 92 contractors through a registration process, according to the minister, who said the recruitment included people from different ethnic and religious backgrounds and genders.
The minister said the project was being undertaken to improve the grounds but noted that workers were expected to fulfil their responsibilities without endangering the public or damaging the environment.
The warning comes as dry conditions associated with the El Niño climate phenomenon can heighten fire risks, particularly where vegetation is parched. Open burning can allow flames to spread rapidly, threatening nearby properties and exposing residents and road users to smoke.
Manickchand said the ministry would continue monitoring the work and taking action against contractors who disregarded the instructions, while ensuring that the cemetery’s clean-up proceeded using the required methods.
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