Mahdia CoI will be conducted diligently, transparently – Chairman

The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that was set up to probe the events of the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory’s fire back in May 2023 will be done diligently and with transparency to provide a thorough report to President Dr Irfaan Ali.
As the public hearings opened on Friday, this assurance was given by Chairman, Retired Major General Joe Singh.
“I wish to assure that the Commission will work diligently, transparently and with sensitivity in order to accomplish the tasks as prescribed in the Terms of Reference, and provide a balanced, impartial, and thorough report to His Excellency the President,” Singh outlined.
The Commission of Inquiry will dive into and report on the events and circumstances leading up to and causes of the Mahdia fire; inquire into and report upon the actions taken to provide swift care, medical attention, and other forms of support and assistance to the families of those injured and deceased; and make such recommendations and observations as the Commission may deem fit, including such measures to prevent the recurrence of such tragedy.
Singh underscored that the Commission will also ensure that the affairs of those who are deceased are handled in a dignified matter, while keeping with the Juvenile Justice Act where necessary.
“It is also our duty to act in the best interests of all minors affected by this tragedy and to ensure that references to the deceased are dealt with in a dignified manner. We shall therefore be guided by Provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act of 2018, best practices, and international standards to ensure the interests of all minors involved are paramount.”
On August 10, President Ali appointed Retired Major General Joe Singh as Chairman and Attorney-at-Law Kim Kyte-Thomas, and Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Derrick John as Commissioners.
There are three phases of the inquiry: evidence gathering, oral hearings, and report writing. It will last for two months unless extended by the President.
On May 21, Guyana and the rest of the world were plunged into mourning as news broke of the tragic incident which destroyed the building and took 20 lives.
Those who died were Eulander Carter, Martha D’Andrade, Mary D’Andrade and Omefia Edwin of Chenapau; Belnisa Evans, Loreen Evans, Rita Bibi Jeffrey and Sabrina John of Karisparu; Natalie Bellarmine, Shorlin Bellarmine, Sherena Daniels, Arianna Edwards, Delicia Edwards, Adonija Jerome, Andrea Roberts, Lisa Roberts, Nickoleen Robinson, Cleoma Simon, Tracil Thomas and Lorita Williams of Micobie.
The Mahdia school’s dormitory housed students from the communities of Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
The fire was allegedly set in the bathroom area of the dormitory. According to the surviving female students, they were asleep and were awakened by screams.
Upon checking, they saw fire and smoke in the bathroom area, which quickly spread in the building, causing several students to receive burns to their bodies and suffer from smoke inhalation, whilst several managed to escape.
Several of the injured students were air-dashed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) for treatment. On May 27, a 13-year-old girl was flown to the Northwell Health Burn Care Centre in New York to seek advanced medical care. She has since returned to Guyana for further treatment.
Information from the Guyana Fire Service indicated that 14 youths died at the scene of the fire, while six died at Mahdia District Hospital.