Boniface Ihiasota
According to reports, Anambra state House of Assembly has passed a bill to control excessive burial and funeral ceremonial activities in the state The bill, which was passed on Wednesday, April 10, was sponsored by House member representing Anaocha 2 constituency, Honourable Charles Ezeani. Excel breaking news gathers that the bill was passed after it had been considered at the committee level of the House.
The bill seeks to curtail and cut down the cost of burial activities in the state and also plans to prosecute offenders. According to the bill, noone shall deposit any corps at the mortuary or any other place beyond two months from the date of demise. The bill, also states that burial ceremonies in the state shall be for one day, stipulating that during burial and funeral ceremonies, the family of the deceased is expected to provide entertainment for their relatives and other sympathisers at their own discretion. Destruction of property, gunshots, praise singing, blocking of roads and streets have been banned and defaulters will be prosecuted. The bill also stipulates that nobody shall subject any relation of the deceased person to a mourning period of more than one week from the date of burial ceremony. Hon Ezeani, who sponsored the bill, said the bill has provision for monitoring and implementation committee that would enforce the law. Lawmakers were commended by the speaker of the House, Rita Maduagwu, for passing a bill that would stop unnecessary burial expenses in Anambra state.
