Madhia dorm fire presents opportunities for Guyana to unite and resolve the national tragedy- we must seize these

The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) continues to grieve the victims of the Mahdia Secondary School female dorm fire that cut short the lives of 20 of the nation’s children, and inflicted injuries on some. We extend heartfelt compassion to the families.

People are traumatised. All Guyanese are living through unspeakable pain and anguish and in moments of national crises the nation must come together to address and resolve these and move forward as a united people.

GTUC continues to observe approaches by the government that are not only deepening emotional and psychological trauma, particularly for the victims and families, but are further putting at risk people’s hope things can get better in the future.

Inflicting further trauma on the injured and aggrieved families

It is GTUC’s considered opinion, based on consultation with mental health practitioners, the parading of injured children and grieving families does more harm than good to their emotional and psychological well-being. Reaction to trauma could lead to a multiplicity of responses for the victims such as anxiety, behavioural changes, nightmares, affect academic performance, difficulty sleeping and eating, becoming fearful, having aches and pains, among others. Putting these children and their families on public display is dehumanising, adding more trauma and should cease forthwith. Further, no expense should be spared to provide persons – victims, families and those in the community-the requisite therapy and other support to restore normalcy in their lives.

The nation must unite

GTUC is deeply troubled by the government’s action that they can and must do this alone, when the Mahdia fire is of national concern and is impacting all Guyanese. This tragedy should have seen the involvement of the political opposition, trade unions representing the workers in the school, the religious community within the area, among other stakeholders. GTUC condemns the government for thinking it can and should go it alone when the Mahdia community and all Guyana are comprised of people from diverse political, social, cultural and economic interests. Going the partisan route in hope political up-manship could resolve a national crisis, bring accountability and heal scars, is both short sighted and misguided.

President Irfaan Ali and Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton must engage

GTUC calls on the Irfaan Ali government not to ignore factors such as the political leadership of the town is held by the A Partnership of National Unity (APNU). President Ali should have picked up the telephone, called Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton, and have the two engaged in the matter. This is the mature and proper thing to do, and would be consistent with the nation’s political objective of “inclusionary democracy” as outlined in Article 13 in the Constitution of Guyana. The president must reach out to the opposition leader to discuss this issue and find common ground as to how the nation will deal with it.

Charge of the 15-year-old for the fire

GTUC not only sees these charges as misguided, geared more to public relations, giving the nation false hope, not getting to the bottom of the issue, holding those responsible accountable, but also a violation of the child’s right.

The arrest and so-called confession of the 15-year raises many questions, such as: Was the right of this child protected? Was she coerced/traumatized into speaking? Did she have legal representation during questioning? Was she medically evaluated for her mental status? Where were her parents/guardians during the interrogation? Why charge her now when a Commission of Inquiry is yet to be established and persons, technical and otherwise, given the opportunity to be heard?

GTUC calls for the charges against this child to be dropped, pending a more deliberative approach to getting to the bottom of the matter. GTUC does not believe the loss of lives and devastation resulting from a fire, lit from an alleged irate child lighting of a mattress, secures answers for the failure to have a building fire proof to mitigate damages and provide an escape route for those within.

Establishment of the Commission of Inquiry

Whereas the GTUC supports a Commission of Inquiry (COI), the Congress calls on the Government to establish one that has the input of  pertinent stakeholders and comprising Terms of Reference that would provide the nation assurance this is not a partisan political body, funded by taxpayers, to provide an outcome that absolve some from responsibility. We demand a proper inquiry and let the chips fall where they may.

The COI must not only examine the cause(s) that led to the fire, identify the responsible institutions, policymakers and technicians for the safety and security of the building consistent with modern building codes, but also the conditions under which the staff and students work, learn and live.

Recommendations must include holding those responsible accountable and ensuring all dormitory facilities across the country are fitted with the requisite building standards to ensure a tragedy of this nature is not repeated.