Chairman of the Ramble Community Development Council (RCDC), Ambleton Wray, says residents are now confident that Prime Minister Bruce Golding will resolve the dispute in relation to the controversial Royale Rest Cemetery in Burnt Ground, Hanover.

In a recent letter to the chairman of the council, the prime minister reportedly promised to bring closure to the dispute between the residents and the operators of the cemetery. He has also promised to meet with representatives of the council as part of the initiative to resolve the dispute.

Disappointed

While the residents have welcomed Prime Minister Golding's promise, they expressed disappointment that Health Minister Rudyard Spencer did not appear to take a keen interest in the matter.

"We are happy that the prime minister has decided to address the matter amicably and we are more than confident that a general consensus will be arrived at," said Wray.

According to him, the council will be suggesting that the Government allocate lands to the developers elsewhere for the construction of a cemetery. The business is being operated by Delapenha's Funeral Home.

Risk of contamination

Residents are against the cemetery's location in their community, charging that it will contaminate the Shettlewood water supply scheme serving their area. They also claim that it will pollute the Great River, a source serving districts in Hanover, Trelawny and St James.

Wray is questioning the silence of the Hanover Parish Council and other groups in this matter.

"The silence of environmental lobby groups and organisations is cause for concern," he argued.