Criminal Negligent Homicide is the most applicable expression for the 20 needless lives lost in the Madhia fire.There were prior warnings of existing lethal conditions in the sleeping area of the children, yet not a single official/administrator moved to correct the indicated dangers. In November 2022 the Fire Department issued warnings and with afollow up visit in February 2023 found out their recommendations of were not implemented. This is criminal negligence leading to 20 lives being snuffed out. The student who set the fire has been charged, but who else needs to be charged for the children being padlocked and unable to escape the deadly inferno? Which employees, supervisors, managers in the Government system had a duty of care and are culpable, responsible because they did not do due diligence to protect our children entrusted to their care? Which Offices/employees are responsible to follow up on the Fire Services inspection reports? The way forward-to hell with vigils-is a class action suit against the Government.
The foremost ministry responsible is Local Government, headed by a misfit who never managed a mauby shop. Nigel Dharamlall, whose interest in road building is extraordinary based on his constant picture postings, must be hauled before a Commission of Inquiry and face subsequent charges starting with dereliction of duties. It is not the Minister of Education who is responsible for the school but rather the Minister of Local Government and the Regional Executive Officer (REO).But if the school is not controlled by the Ministry of Education but by the Region then why not hold the Region accountable? The Regional administration is controlled by the PPP/C and we float into the wonderland of semantics and blame casting, typical of Third World frolicking.
One resident on video alleges that Amerindian Affairs Minister,Pauline Sukhai, (the Minister who received over $2 million worth of dental work in Canada) would visit Madhia and would remain in the hotel all day, go out and gamble and but does not visit the community. This needs to be investigated as taxpayers pay her airfare and accommodations. If true, does she pay her own airfare or does the Ministry?
Disaster preparedness is sadly close to non-existent in Guyana. Little rains produce massive flooding as drainage pumpsregularly malfunction, blackouts plague the land, projects attract glaringly high costs, the public service is struggling with the issuance of simple documents and the police force stills attract social hatred from all and sundry. However, fire safety is the most salient avenue where preventative and evacuation procedures exist in Flintstone era. The President should declare a state of emergency in fire safety and employ fire experts (I will render free service) to overhaul the death traps that Guyanese live and work in. The head honcho, know- it -all VP Jagdeo is rather silent on this matter where human lives are at stake and urgent measures need to be enforced. In his own words: this is not negotiable.
Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine
Real Estate Builder
New York