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Shardabacchus@newsroom.gy

The Mahdia secondary school dormitory was not in any state of preparedness when the fire broke out in May claiming the lives of 20 children and though authorities were previously informed of existing problems at the facility and even possible solutions, no immediate action was taken.

This is according to attorney Keoma Griffith, who on Thursday, told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) that they should review the conduct of the Chief Fire Officer, Gregory Wickham and former Regional Deputy Education Officer, Annesta Douglas, who both failed to act on recommendations to address issues which plagued the dormitory prior to the fire.

The deficiencies were detailed and outlined in a report prepared just months before the tragedy by the officer-in-charge of the Mahdia fire station, Ryan Scott.

Chief Fire Officer, Gregory Wickham and former Regional Deputy Education Officer, Annesta Douglas

“It is clear that this report was concise and sought to inform all of the necessary players of the systems that were required for fire prevention at the Mahdia dormitory. The report also appropriately concluded that the requirements set out therein were necessary in the interest of saving lives and property,” Griffith told the Commission in his closing submissions.

“I will ask this Commission to consider…This report is a report that should have been taken seriously, that required urgent attention and no effort should be spared in the implementation of all of the relevant requirements and recommendations contained therein,” the attorney contended.

When he testified before the CoI, Scott indicated that just months before the fire, he told his superiors about the absence of the firefighting tools. At that time, the station’s lone 12-year-old tender had a number of deficiencies but he said little to no action was taken.

Out of all the evidence given by the 29 witnesses, Griffith emphasized on the testimonies of Douglas, Wickham, Scott and Chief Education Officer (CEO) Saddam Hussain.

Turning his attention to the education sector, Griffith reminded the Commission that Scott’s report was not the first to highlight the issues that plagued the dormitory.

He said an inquiry was conducted into the sector in 2017 with emphasis being placed on the deplorable state of dormitories, and again, while recommendations were made for improvements, no action was taken by the authorities.

These recommendations included the implementation of smoke detectors, fire alarms and other fire prevention mechanisms.

“I certainly regret Commissioners that…the Mahdia dormitory was not in the top five of the dorms which required essential action. In fact, we were told by the CEO…that preparing the report also included consultation by stakeholders…and in that consultation the only issues from Mahdia that were raised were instability of light and water,” Griffith said.

The 20 victims of the Mahdia Secondary School dorm fire.

In keeping with the Terms of Reference, the CoI is mandated to inquire into and report on everything leading up to the dormitory fire as well as the cause of the fire.

They will also investigate and report on what actions were taken to provide care, medical attention, and support to the injured and deceased and their relatives, in a timely manner.

Thereafter, recommendations are expected from the commission, which will include necessary measures to prevent a reoccurrence of such tragedies.

In commending the efforts of first responders, especially those in the medical field, Griffith said he believes the Commission has sufficient evidence to demonstrate that the highest level of care and support was provided during and after the tragedy to those affected.

“The truth is Commissioners, there is so much more support based on evidence that has been provided by the Commission,” he said.

Griffith, therefore, concluded that the Commission is in a position to “competently” and “effectively” present its findings in keeping with its mandate.

“…I am confident that based on all the evidence that is before this Commission, all the reports, all the statements that were tendered, if you look at the transcripts, you would see this Commission is in a position to competently and effectively provide its findings in writing,” he said.

The findings and recommendations of the CoI, Griffith said are “essential” to ensuring that there is closure in this matter and also an efficient and effective documentation of what transpired at the time of and after the tragedy.

Public hearings into the CoI commenced on September 15.

Following a one-month extension, the Commission has until November month end to compile a report with its findings and present it to President Dr Irfaan Ali.

The Commission is chaired by Major General (Ret’d) Joe Singh. The two other Commissioners are attorney Dr Kim Kyte-Thomas and Chairman of the National Toshaos Council Derick John.

cash-strapped and needs an urgent injection of finances to run the city for the rest of the year.

He, however, highlighted that no financial audit was done in more than a decade and no budget was done for this year. The last M&CC budget, which was in excess of $2 billion, was approved in 2022.

Regardless of the issues at the City Council, Jagdeo said the government is keen on addressing the issues faced by residents and it can do so on its own.

Further, he said much of the issues already resolved in the city, including fixing roads, drains and stop lights, were ventures taken on by the government.

avenash@newsroom.gy

The day is November 16, 2014.

Heeranand ‘Nicholas’ Boodhram lays still under the clubhouse.

There is a deafening silence at South Dakota, as race officials and the medical team on the ground work feverishly to aid the 19-year old regain consciousness.

Minutes earlier, the brakes on Boodhram’s 2012 Yamaha R6 had failed as he approached the old ‘Turn 2.’

His life flashes right before his eyes as momentum sends him crashing into the sandy banks.

He is knocked unconscious.

As the injured rider is airdashed to the city for emergency medical attention, his future as a competitive biker is uncertain, his very existence challenged by his innate desire to live life on the fast lane.

Flashback! Heeranand ‘Nicholas’ Boodhram competing at South Dakota on November 16, 2014. Later that day he would veer off the track after a brakes failure (Photo: Rohindra Mahase)

 

These are the risks motor-racers face when they take to the grid.

The harsh reality is that there is an obvious element of danger that comes with speed and adrenaline and Boodhram had to experience that in the most unfortunate way, and on the biggest stage of all- the November race meet.

Damaged nerves in the left hand required surgical treatment in New York to fully restore function in the arm, and he would spend the next five months recovering in the USA.

At that point, although the love for racing was still there, it was the least of Boodhram’s interest; getting back to full health was foremost on his mind.

Heeranand ‘Nicholas’ Boodhram with the chequered flag at the ENet Caribbean Clash of Champions (Photo: News Room/Shaconeil Burnette/November 5, 2023)

Nearly a decade later, fully recovered but with memories of that fateful day still lingering, Boodhram has been crowned the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s 2023 Street Bikes champion after an almost flawless season.

It’s a story that can be linked to the salient words of the American writer Williams Arthur Ward: “Adversity causes some men to break; others to break records.”

While Boodhram many not have broken any record of sorts in this instance, he has proven that it’s not how hard you fall- as in his case literally- but how quickly you can get back on your feet.

“After my accident, I still had love for racing, watching my friends and brother (Heemand Boodhram) participate,” he reflected.

“Everyone was always advising me to stay away from bikes because of the how serious the accident was, but I always had intentions to participate again, once the feeling is good. I love racing motorcycles and I will to continue doing so.”

The rider with his biggest fan, his seven-year-old daughter Amaiya

Powering a 2020 Yamaha R6, sponsored by VALS Construction, Luminous, Belco Exim Port, CMS and Pristine Auto Detailing, Boodhram finished the year with a staggering 176 points, finishing on the podium in each of the eight Street Bike races in 2023.

With his biggest fan- his seven-year-old daughter Amaiya at every race meet- Boodhram copped five wins, two second place finishes and a third.

Shem Chattersingh was second overall with 123 points, followed by Dowayne Caesar with 85.

“It feels great to be crowned the champion of the year because I never expected to jump on and be so fast right away,” Boodhram told News Room Sport after his first full season following the accident.

“I had a great season and was very consistent. I always try to think ahead of my competitors to try to have that edge and speed in front of them.”

Always one to strive for excellence, Boodhram said he is extremely determined to improve his craft, and would usually pick the brain of the faster competitors in the Super Stock class.

Boodhram said the fearlessness he had prior to the accident has not diminished one bit, and the impetus of winning the championship has further lifted his confidence.

“I always try to get better and not be comfortable where I am currently.”

“I would like to dedicate this win to our late friend Amit Singh. You will ride on forever.”

With a title to defend next season, Boodhram has vowed to take it up a few notches in 2024 and hug the limelight yet again.

It seems the logical thing to do after the unfortunate events of 2014 kept him in the background for far too long.

ordered a full probe into the decision of the Guyana Prison Service to release Gopaul early from prison even though she still had years to serve on her sentence.

Gopaul was convicted of murdering her young daughter, Neesa Gopaul.

In a statement, the Guyana Prison Service admitted that Gopaul, who was ordered to serve a 25-year prison term for the murder, was recently released from prison as a result of an incorrect calculation of her prison term.

Neesa was murdered in 2010. The CCJ in their judgement had ordered that Gopaul was to serve 25 years from the date of the conviction with eligibility for parole after 15 years.

Her date of conviction was March 5, 2015, but the Prison Service admitted that officials calculated her sentence from the date she was remanded, which is October 10, 2010.

Gopaul was quietly released from prison several weeks ago.