Team to investigate Mahdia tragedy appointed by Pres Ali

– says CoI is crucial step towards understanding, healing from horrific fire

Nearly three months after the fatal fire at the Mahdia Secondary School female dormitory, the members of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) were on Thursday sworn in with the task of conducting an investigation into the tragic incident that claimed the lives of 20 children.

The members are Major General (Ret’d) Joseph Singh, who will serve as Chairman along with the Chairman of the National Toshaos Council (NTC), Derrick John, and Attorney-at-law Dr Kim Kyte-Thomas. Additionally, Attorney Javed Shadick was appointed as the Commission’s secretary.
The members took their Oath of Office before Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Office of the President in Georgetown.
At the swearing-in ceremony, President Dr Irfaan Ali noted that the CoI represents a crucial step towards understanding and healing from this horrific incident.
“My intention as President is to ensure a balanced, impartial, and thorough examination of the causes of the fire and related issues. [The CoI] is intended to derive lessons that can improve safety and ensure that such a tragedy never reoccurs,” Ali said.

“The terms of reference bestowed upon this Commission have been crafted with the intent of granting latitude for comprehensive examination, and for us also to look at lessons and strategies as we move forward as a country and as a people,” Ali said.
The President explained that these terms give the CoI the opportunity to look into the circumstances of the May 21 event, examine the responses that followed and consider recommendations to ensure safety across institutions.
While the Commission’s investigation is set to run for two months, the President clarified that if an extension is needed, it will be granted.
He further noted that the CoI was sworn in at this time to allow for a more conducive environment, given the immediate mental toll the event had taken on community members.

“We recognised the need to give the affected families the time and space to grieve and heal. It thus was imperative to allow for a suitable period to elapse, considering the emotional impact on the families and the broader community. As such, I did not deem it necessary to rush headlong into an inquiry, which could run the risk of aggravating the immediate trauma being experienced by the grieving families,” Ali said.
Last month, the Government announced that in addition to medical and mental health support, they would also be providing $5 million each to families of the 20 children who died in the fire, an initiative that the President clarified will not hinder the work of the CoI.
It comes on the heels of President Dr Irfaan Ali pledging full compensation to the aggrieved families when he engaged family members after the fire.
In the Agreement, Government pledged to continue to offer such support as may be necessary to the victims and their families. Given that public monies are being expended, and recognising that these expenditures will have to be transparently accounted for, the agreements were reduced into writing.
Ali also took the opportunity to reiterate his gratitude to the first responders, Government officials, and other relevant stakeholders for their prompt and steady responses in aiding persons affected by the fire.
In the early hours of May 22, the fire had already ripped through the Mahdia school dormitory after being maliciously set by a 15-year-old student.
The facility housed about 59 students from the communities of Karisparu, El Paso, Micobie and Chenapau. Information from the Guyana Fire Service indicated that 14 youths died at the scene of the fire, while six died at Mahdia District Hospital.
Initial reports indicated that the teenage accused threatened to set the place on fire after her cell phone was confiscated and more so after she was previously suspended for engaging in activities contrary to the rules of the institution.
The girls who perished in the fire are 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 and Sherana Daniels.
Adanye Jerome, the five-year-old son of the dorm mother, was also among those who passed. Earlier this week, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony visited one of the most critically injured patients in the Regional Burn Centre at Staten Island University Hospital.
The 12-year-old girl with severe burns to more than 40 per cent of her body was taken for lifesaving treatment at Georgetown Public Hospital but was subsequently flown to the United States to receive comprehensive burn care at Northwell Health’s Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH).
She is expected to return home shortly. (Pooja Rambaran)