Anambra State Assembly Asks Religious, Community Leaders To Comply With State Burial Law…

Anambra State House of Assembly has passed a resolution urging Governor Chukwuma Soludo to direct the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs to cause the Department of Town Union and Chieftaincy Matters in his Ministry to task religious and other community leaders to create awareness on the law to control burial ceremonies in Anambra State and commence immediate strict compliance.

The House passed the resolution following a motion of urgent public importance sponsored to that effect by the member representing Aguata Constituency Two, Honourable Tony Muobuike during plenary in Awka.

Honourable Muobuike observed that the practice of exhibition of affluence through excessive spending on food, dances, pallbearers, brochures, gift items and multiple days of burial rites has become tradition in almost all communities and towns in Anambra State.

The legislator expressed concern that there is currently minimal level of awareness and limited compliance with the law and further delays in the full implementation of the law will lead to greater degeneration into wasteful, negative and gender sensitive practices by bereaved families with respect to burial rites of deceased persons in Anambra State.

In their separate speeches, the member representing Dunukofia Constituency, Honourable Chuks Azotani and the member representing Aguata Constituency One, Honourable Anayor Okpalaeke stressed the need for a departure from extravagant burial ceremonies and called on the Department of Town Union and Chieftaincy Matters, religious and community leaders to enforce the law since they have the requisite capacity to do so.

In his reaction, the Chief Whip of the House, Honourable Jude Ngaobiri noted that the current economic realities make it difficult for people to afford extravagant burials, hence the need for relevant agencies to ensure strict compliance with the law.

Speaker of the House, Right Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze maintained that if Ndi Anambra obeyed the law, extravagant burial ceremonies will be minimized.