Deadly Mahdia fire: Engagement on $5M to families done in “very open way” – AG to critics

…says families signed agreements for Govt’s financial support

Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has said that families of the children who perished and/or were injured in the deadly Mahdia dormitory fire have signed agreements with the Government for continued financial support.
Providing an update on the engagements with the families, he shared that their requests varied, and as such, Cabinet decided to offer monetary support to the families of those who passed, the severely injured, and persons who suffered minor injuries.

The Attorney General was accompanied by Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, in meeting with the families.
President Dr Irfaan Ali also mandated that two lawyers in private practice represent the families and elucidate on the nature of the exercise.
“The engagement was done in a very open way, with all the explanations being offered. All the relatives and families were engaged individually, and all were allowed to ask any questions that they wish. That is how 20 agreements so far have been executed,” Nandlall disclosed during a broadcast interview.
The agreements were put in writing because the sums of money are coming out of the public treasury, the AG outlined. Putting it in writing also allows for transparency at the state level.
“Whenever there is an expenditure of public funds, there is a legal duty of those who are dealing with those public funds to ensure that there is a level of accountability and transparency that meets acceptable standards. It is my duty to ensure that those requirements are met,” the AG explained.
From the time of the fire to this present time, Government has covered all expenses: air fares, accommodation in the city, funeral costs, as well as replacing the items lost in the fire.

The AG clarified that this sum being given to the families is not compensation. Rather, it is an expression of continued financial support. He explained, “We met with each family and made it clear to them that this is not a compensation. Government really can’t — and it would be insensitive to think that the Government can — compensate for the tremendous loss, pain, and anguish that those people endured. One can’t begin to think that one can put money on the lives of those who perished and those who were injured.”
He also refuted claims that the exercise is being done in secrecy. Because this process is still ongoing, it has been posited that the details would be publicized in due time. The Legal Affairs Minister zeroed in, “The reason why this exercise has not yet been made public is because not a single cent has been paid, and the exercise is ongoing. Obviously, this is not money that was budgeted for. These are monies that will have to be disclosed to the National Assembly and at other public fora where the law requires it, and it will be done. But the exercise is ongoing. I don’t know what basis persons have come to the conclusion that it is being done in a hush manner.”

Commission of Inquiry
This aid is part of a menu of measures which would be taken to assist the families, but this is still being deliberated at the level of Cabinet. A commission of inquiry will also be launched soon into the tragic fire on May 22, which claimed the lives of 20 children – 19 girls from the dormitory and a 5-year-old boy.
“This is one installment of assistance, and I hope it is viewed that way. The Commission of Inquiry will inquire into the events and will elucidate for us more information, which can put us in a better position as a society, while at the same time, hopefully, make some crucial causative findings,” he explained.
He also invalidated comments that the financial aid would meddle with the Inquiry. The CoI would have its Terms of Reference, which, when drafted, would take into account all matters which it is obliged to address.
Nandlall opined, “How can it? This is the Government voluntarily continuing to offer assistance that it started to offer when the tragedy started. There is a pledge by the Government to continue to offer different forms of support in the near future. This has nothing to do with a commission of inquiry.”
The Ali-led administration has undertaken the responsibility of supporting the families, having found that they are in need of tremendous assistance. It has been reported that the families of those children who perished will receive $5 million coming out of this engagement. (G12)