Latest update December 17th, 2024 3:32 AM
Commissioner sworn in to probe Drop-in Centre tragedy
From left Minister Harmon, Colonel Algernon and Magistrate Fabayo Azore
Retired Guyana Defence Force (GDF) woman Colonel Windee Algernon was yesterday sworn in as the sole Commissioner tasked with probing the deaths of two young brothers at the Children’s Drop-in Centre on Hadfield Street, Georgetown two Fridays ago.
She was sworn in before Magistrate Fabayo Azore in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court in the presence of Minister of State, Joseph Harmon and Geeta Chandan- Edmond, Legal Advisor in the Ministry of the Presidency.
According to Harmon, the Government would await the report of the inquiry to decide on compensation for the parents of Joshua George, four, and his brother, six-year-old Antonio George.
The remains of the siblings were found among the debris shortly after fire fighters extinguished the blaze which started around 12:05 hrs on June 8, last. The government will be waiting on the Commissioner’s findings before moving forward with this case.
Kaieteur News was told that five Terms of Reference have been included in the document signed by the Minister at the command of the President.
Harmon explained that Algernon is tasked with investigating and examining the causes, conditions and circumstances that led to the deaths of the two brothers while in the care and control of the state.
The Commissioner will also have to determine the nature of injuries sustained by all children at the centre and the dangers (if any) to which the children and staff were exposed.
The Commissioner will also have to determine whether the conduct of the staff at the Drop in Centre was in conformity with the required obligation of the state and standard operating procedures.
Algernon will also have to decide on whether there was failure on the part of state officials to deal with matters that gave rise to the loss of lives and whether there were unsafe or improper arrangements for care, custody and welfare of the children.
She is expected to interview the staff at the centre, the children who were accommodated there, the staff at the Ministry of Social Protection and the parents of children along with any other individual who may have information.
A preliminary report is to be presented by July 22 and the full report by August 15. However, if more time is needed, then the Commissioner will have to make a request.
Speaking to the media, Algernon said that she was happy to be selected by President David Granger to serve in this capacity.
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