Zamfara Sets Aside N1 Billion To Build Cemeteries Across 14 LGAs Amid Ongoing Bandit Attacks

The Zamfara State Government has sparked a wave of reactions across the country following its decision to budget N1 billion for the construction of cemeteries across all 14 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

This move comes at a time when the state continues to grapple with persistent insecurity, mass displacements, and frequent bandit attacks that have claimed numerous lives and disrupted the livelihoods of thousands.

The Breakdown of the Project:

According to official reports, the N1 billion allocation is aimed at providing modern, well-fenced, and organized burial grounds. Key points of the plan include:State-wide Coverage: The project is expected to reach every local government, from Anka to Zurmi.

Infrastructure: The funds are intended for fencing, gate houses, and proper landscaping of the sites.

Government Justification:

Sources within the administration suggest the move is part of urban renewal and providing “dignity for the departed. “Mixed Reactions Trail the Announcement the announcement has triggered a heated debate among residents and observers. While some argue that organized cemeteries are a necessary social service, many others are questioning the timing and priority of the expenditure.

The Critics:

Many argue that the N1 billion should have been diverted toward security intelligence, support for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), or healthcare for those wounded in ongoing attacks. The Proponents: Some believe that existing burial grounds are overstretched and insecure, making the renovation of cemeteries a necessary, albeit somber, reality in the current climate.

Legal and Budgetary Perspective under the Nigerian 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Local Government Laws, the provision and maintenance of burial grounds are traditionally the responsibility of Local Government Councils. However, the State Government’s intervention via this massive budgetary allocation highlights the scale of the need—or the severity of the mortality rate in the region.As the state government moves forward with the procurement process, many Zamfara citizens are looking for more robust strategies to end the violence so that these new cemeteries do not have to be filled ahead of time.What do you think? Is this a necessary infrastructure project or a misplaced priority given the current security challenges?