–as CoI begins into deadly Drop-in-Centre fire

THE Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the fire at the Drop-in-Centre on Hadfield Street, Georgetown — which resulted in the deaths of brothers Antonio and Joshua George -– began on Monday with four witnesses testifying before the Commissioner, retired Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Colonel Windee Algernon.Commissioner Algernon told the Guyana Chronicle at the Ministry of the Presidency that those witnesses were employees of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) which is headed by Director Ann Greene. She said the CoI will summon more than 20 witnesses from the Ministry of Social Protection, including staff at CPA, the Guyana Fire Service, children housed at the centre, and their parents and guardians.

The CoI will submit a preliminary report to President David Granger on July 22, while the final report and recommendations will be presented to him on August 15.

Joshua George,2, and Antonio George,6, along with three other siblings, were removed from their parents’ home on the evening of July 6 and placed at the Drop-in Centre by the Ministry of Social Protection’s Child Services Division.

The Government’s children’s orphanage was consumed by fire on July 8, leaving two of its residents — siblings Antonio and Joshua George — dead. The inquiry will decide whether or not the family of the dead boys will be compensated.