May 21 declared Memorial Day for Mahdia fire victims

In remembrance of the tragic fire which resulted in the deaths of 20 children on May 21, 2023, a Memorial Day will be observed this year as a tribute to those who perished.
This was announced by Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn during the Guyana Fire Service’s Senior Officers’ Conference.
According to Benn, on that day it is expected that there will be a commemoration for all the victims.
“This day should be one where this is a place where all Guyana Fire Service members and persons within the country can go to see pictures of persons who have lost their lives to fires and pay respect to them,” Benn stated.
He added that the main focus should be awareness for citizens to reinstall the missions, tasks, and roles in this particular area in the development of the country.
“Furthermore, as the country is within the oil and gas era and infrastructural developments are being completed, the country is also becoming more skilled and conscious to deal with various causes like these,” Benn expounded.
On May 21, 2023, tragedy struck at the Mahdia Secondary School girls’ dormitory, which had housed 56 girls and a five-year-old boy from the communities of Karisparu, El Paso, Micobie and Chenapau, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni). The Guyana Fire Service confirmed that 14 children died in the inferno, while five succumbed to their injuries at the Mahdia District Hospital. Another died days later.
The fire claimed the lives of Subrina John; Belnisa Evans; Loreen Evans; Bibi Rita Fiona Jeffrey; Lisa Roberts; Tracil Thomas; Delecia Edwards; Lorita Williams; Natalie Bellarmine; Arianna Edwards; Cleoma Simon; Martha Dandrade; Mary Dandrade; Omerfia Edwin; Nickleen Robinson; Sherlyn Bellarmine; Eulander Carter; Andrea Roberts; Sherana Daniels and Adanye Jerome, the son of the dorm mother.
A 15-year-old girl was charged in June 2023 with 20 counts of murder for the arson. She has since been detained at a juvenile holding facility.

CoI
The report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the Mahdia fire had outlined several recommendations to improve the condition of dormitories across the country, and to prevent the recurrence of such a tragedy, looking at the combined viewpoints of security, society, and safety.
The report was handed over to President Dr Irfaan Ali by Chairman of the CoI, Major General (Retired) Joe Singh, on January 19, 2024.
From the findings tendered, the Commission recommended that an inspectorate be set up to visit the dormitories which have been, or are being, retrofitted, in order to determine the extent to which they are in compliance with the recommended gender-sensitive standards for dormitories. This should also apply to dormitories that are intended to be constructed.
Further, the report detailed, “The visits should allow for the inspection of fire-suppression systems, emergency evacuation procedures, and assessment of first responder fire-fighting drills and capabilities. Compliance with the statutory schedules for fire drills at schools and dormitories must also be monitored and enforced.”
Additionally, technically competent individuals should be included in such inspectorate teams, and reports on the extent of compliance achieved are to be submitted to the relevant agencies for evaluation and follow-up action.
Furthermore, grills should be replaced with a modern security system, inclusive of secured fencing and cameras, to ensure a protected environment and assist in monitoring the entry and exit of all persons using the facilities.
The Commission heard, during testimonies, that the grills were installed to prevent the girls from escaping and indulging in the night life of the mining town. (G2)