![Firefighters had to punch holes through the walls of a dormitory in Mahdia, Guyana, to rescue students trapped inside during a fire [Guyana’s Department of Public Information/AP Photo]](https://villagevoicenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/image-2023-05-26T100622.963.png)
The Opposition is upping its call for the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the Mahdia Secondary School female dormitory which occurred on May 21, 2023. The fire has caused the death of 20 children, including a five-year-old boy who was the son of the Dorm Mother, and injuries to several. Two of the children were flown abroad for medical attention, one of whom has since died.
At its press conference Thursday, the A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) pointed out (74) days have passed without such a commission being established.
The Opposition said they will not relent in their call for an independent COI, and noted painful days have elapsed since the government continues to dilly-dally in the hope that the matter will fade from the national limelight, memory, and conscience.
The Opposition warned that the more the government stalls in appointing an independent COI, the more it exposes itself as uncaring and callous, it exposes its disregard for the collective pain and grief of the nation over the tragedy. “It also reveals its intention to bury the matter in the hope that the grieving parents and the nation will soon forget and move on. It exposes its tendency to put Freedom House first and foremost, even to the extent of protecting incompetent PPP ministers and officials regardless of the cost to the citizens and the nation.”
The coalition opposition took a swipe at the government for its protection of former Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall, who is accused of raping a minor from the Indigenous community. And said the same is true about Bharrat Jagdeo against whom serious allegations of bribery and corruption have been made.
Further, the Opposition warned Government the people’s voices and votes will hold them responsible, liable and accountable for not having the COI.
Prior to the fire UNICEF and the Guyana Fire Service had submitted reports to the Government of Guyana warning about the safety of dormitories across Guyana and also submitted recommendations to correct the risk. These were ignored.
