Stakeholders must work together urgently to ensure that all public facilities, particularly educational and health care facilities, meet the highest safety standards

May 28, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – The Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE) expresses deep sorrow over the tragic loss of nineteen young lives in the devastating fire at the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory on May 21, 2023. GAPE extends its deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones to this catastrophic fire. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families, students, staff, and the entire community of Mahdia and Region 8.

We stand with the people of Guyana in mourning the departed souls. This horrific incident further emphasizes the need for the urgent establishment and rigorous enforcement of building codes, safety standards, and fire prevention measures. As an organization committed to promoting engineering excellence, GAPE stresses the vital role that proper design, construction, inspection, and maintenance play in safeguarding buildings, particularly those housing institutions with vulnerable occupants such as schools and health care facilities.

GAPE is deeply concerned about the devastating consequences of this fire and calls for a comprehensive inquiry to determine the precipitating factors and, more so, measures to be implemented urgently to prevent similar incidents in the future. GAPE stands ready to offer its support to the relevant authorities in conducting a comprehensive investigation. We urge a transparent and collaborative approach, involving all stakeholders supported by suitably qualified experts, to uncover the truth, learn from this incident, and implement necessary measures to prevent such tragedies in the future. It is our firm belief that all stakeholders must work together urgently to ensure that all public facilities, particularly educational and health care facilities, meet the highest safety standards. This includes rigorous inspections to identify potential hazards, maintenance protocols, and continuous training of personnel responsible for the safety of these premises. GAPE remains committed to promoting the highest standards of engineering practice and will continue to advocate for the implementation of building codes and safety standards and their diligent enforcement. We strongly urge engineers and other professionals responsible for designing, constructing, and managing infrastructure projects to prioritize the public’s safety and well-being in all infrastructure development.

Stuart E.B. Hughes, BEng (Hons), MSc (Eng.), DIC, MCIHT, MGAPE
Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE)

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