By Mark DaCosta- In a bold legal move, Valerie Carter, the grieving mother of twin girls who perished in the 2023 Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire, has filed a $900 million lawsuit against the State. This comes after a court set aside a previous $5 million settlement agreement, which Carter claims she was pressured into signing. The lawsuit underscores the ongoing quest for accountability and justice following one of the most devastating tragedies in Guyana’s recent history.
The fire, which erupted on 21 May 2023, claimed the lives of 20 students, including Carter’s daughters, Martha and Michelle D’Andrade. The dormitory, a one-storey structure with iron grills on its windows, became a death trap as the flames spread rapidly, trapping many of the children inside. Despite the heroic efforts of firefighters and local residents, only 25 students were rescued, while 19 died in the blaze and another succumbed to injuries shortly after. The incident, described as a national tragedy, left families and the entire nation in mourning.
In the aftermath, the government offered $5 million in compensation to each family who lost a child. Carter initially accepted the settlement in July 2023 but later sought to have it annulled, alleging that state officials coerced her into signing the agreement during a period of profound grief. Her lawsuit, filed on 17 February 2025, accuses the State of negligence, claiming that systemic failures by various government agencies contributed to the tragedy.
Among the allegations are the failure to equip the dormitory with adequate emergency lighting, clear escape routes, and functioning fire safety measures. Carter also highlighted the State’s disregard for a 2022 recommendation by the Guyana Fire Service to remove the iron grills from the dormitory’s windows and exits, which ultimately hindered the children’s escape.
The lawsuit, spearheaded by Attorney-at-Law Eusi Anderson, seeks $900 million for each of Carter’s daughters, arguing that the State’s negligence directly led to their deaths. Carter’s legal action has reignited public outrage over the lack of accountability for the systemic failures identified by the Commission of Inquiry (COI) established to investigate the fire. The COI, led by retired Brigadier General Joseph Singh, found that while the fire was allegedly set intentionally by a 15-year-old student, the tragedy was exacerbated by operational shortcomings, including delayed fire response times, inadequate firefighting equipment, and poor crowd control during rescue efforts.
Despite these findings, no government official or agency has been held accountable. Instead, the blame has been squarely placed on the teenage girl, who now faces 20 counts of murder and is set to stand trial in the High Court. Her legal team, led by Attorney Dexter Todd, is preparing to defend her against the charges, while Special Prosecutor Latchmie Rahamat represents the State. The trial has sparked widespread debate, with many questioning why no adult or government authority has been held responsible for the systemic failures that contributed to the tragedy.
On social media, citizens have expressed frustration and anger, demanding answers and reforms. Many have pointed to the COI’s findings, which highlighted the dormitory’s inadequate safety measures and the State’s failure to act on prior recommendations. The public outcry has amplified calls for improved safety protocols in school dormitories, particularly in remote regions where such facilities are often overlooked.
As the legal battle unfolds, Carter’s lawsuit represents more than a quest for compensation; it is a demand for accountability and justice for the 20 young lives lost. The case has become a symbol of the broader struggle to address systemic failures and ensure that such a tragedy never occurs again.
