-Report of Drop-In Centre Inquiry handed over

PUBLIC Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan has been tasked with taking a “fresh look” at fire prevention protocols at government facilities.This was announced by Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, on Friday, when he received the report of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the deaths of brothers Antonio and Joshua George, who perished in the Drop-in Centre fire on July 8 at Hadfield Street, Georgetown.

The final report was submitted to Minister Harmon by lone Commissioner Retired Colonel Windee Algernon at the Ministry of the Presidency.

A press statement from the Ministry of the Presidency noted that government has given serious consideration to the recommendations contained in the preliminary report which was submitted on July 22, and President David Granger has given Minister Ramjattan the added responsibility of taking a fresh look at fire prevention protocols and possible safety hazards at government buildings.

“Now that we have the [final] report, we are confident that the various ministries and government departments will look at the recommendations and do what is required, so that we can provide safe and secure places not only for children, but for everyone.

“This was a tragedy, but, as a State, we have a responsibility to every person… This is a wakeup call for us insofar as fire safety and security are concerned,” Minister Harmon said.

The statement said copies of the report were also presented to Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, and Acting Chief Fire Officer Winston McGregor.

Director and Management of the Child Protection Unit, headed by Ann Greene, will meet next week to discuss “an action plan on how to implement the recommendations listed in the report,” Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, said during the presentation ceremony.

The press statement from the Ministry of the Presidency said Minister Lawrence also said the Ministry of Social Protection will work closely with the family members of the two boys to ensure that they can “pick up and move on in their lives” despite the terrible loss they have suffered.

Chief Fire Officer McGregor also assured that the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) is doing everything in its power to ensure that all public buildings are safe and adhere to fire safety guidelines.

Commenting on the contents of the report, Colonel Algernon said that in its compilation she sought to provide much needed recommendations that would see the implementation of necessary mechanisms and systems that would prevent a recurrence in the future.