–Colonel Algernon sworn in to inquire into death of boys in Drop-in Centre blaze

By Ariana Gordon

THE one-man Commission of Inquiry (CoI) headed by retired Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Colonel Windee Algernon will determine whether the family of Antonio and Joshua George will receive compensation from Government.The lads perished on July 8 when the Drop-in Centre on Hadfield Street, Georgetown, was ravaged by fire.

Algernon was sworn in on Friday by Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to conduct the inquiry into the horrific death of the boys who were temporarily housed at the Drop-in Centre.
“The family would have been contacted by the Ministry of Social Protection and they would have been given some comfort level, but insofar as the compensation is concerned, we will await the findings of the commission,” Minister of State Joseph Harmon told reporters on Friday following the swearing-in of Algernon.
Joshua, two, and Antonio George, six, along with three other siblings were removed from their parents’ home last Wednesday and placed at the Drop-in Centre by the Ministry of Social Protection’s Child Services Division.
According to Harmon, in less than two weeks, a preliminary report will be presented to the President.
“… anytime a life in Guyana is lost, it is something that will have to be inquired into… because the commission will determine what needs to be done. It is basically about two weeks or so and we can wait on that,” he added.
According to the Terms of Reference (ToR), a preliminary report is to be submitted to the President on July 22, while the final report is to be completed by August 15.
He made it clear that should there be a request for an extension of time to produce the reports, there is a possibility that it would be granted.
Algernon is required to examine, advise, report and to probe into all the circumstances surrounding the death of the brothers on July 8, and to report its findings and conclusions, along with recommendations to prevent recurrences of that nature.
The retired army colonel is also required to assess the nature of the injuries sustained by all the children who were in the care and custody of the State at the Drop-in-Centre at the time of the fire, as well as to assess the dangers to which children and the staff were exposed at the time of the incident.
Additionally, Algernon is required to determine whether the conduct of the staff at the Drop-in –Centre who were on duty on July 8 was in conformity with the required statutory obligations of the State and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
She will also investigate the blameworthiness of individuals, report on whether there was a failure on the part of State officials to deal appropriately or adequately with matters that gave rise to the loss of lives and whether there were any unsafe or improper arrangements for the care, custody and welfare of the children.
Algernon is required to make “comprehensive recommendations” to ensure the safety of children at the Drop-in- Centre. In so doing, she is to speak to the effectiveness and adequacy of the current emergency arrangements there for fire or other disasters, the level of interaction between the departments, agencies and service providers and how those sectors can work together to better protect children and young people who are under the care and supervision of the State.
The ultimate aim is “to prevent a recurrence of any such incident”, the ToR stated.
Meanwhile, Algernon, the lone commissioner to probe the death of the two children, told reporters shortly after the simple ceremony that it is an honour to be called upon to investigate the tragic death of the lads.
The inquiry proceedings were to commence on Friday.
The views of all stakeholders, including but not limited to the staff of the Drop-in Centre, the children who reside there, staff of the Ministry of Social Protection, parents and guardians of the children under care at the Drop-in Centre are to be taken into account.
The inquiry will be conducted “continually at the Conference Room of the Department of the Public Service, Ministry of the Presidency,” located on Waterloo Street and shall be held in public.