Fire Inspections

Jun 13, 2023 Editorial

Kaieteur News – In our last Thursday edition, we carried three fire-related stories. They ranged from the wrenching to the restorative to the remedial. In the same order, the first was of the latest horror involving the fiery deaths of two little girls in Mahaica, then the rebuilding of the Christ Church Secondary School destroyed by fire, and the race by the Fire Department to conduct inspections of school dormitories and hostels, both of which have been visited by the common destructive denominator of fire.

The first thing to be said is that arson is a moving occurrence, one with enough inflammatory energy to cause instantaneous and utter devastation. Also, arsonists do not give notice of their destructive, sometimes deadly, intentions. It is helpful that we have these countrywide inspections of buildings that house the young and vulnerable of Guyana. Much may be said of how it is after the fact, and that these inspections should have been the first order of business, and before one foot was allowed to cross the threshold of those buildings. With the perfect vision of hindsight, and hard, bitter experience, there have to be periodic inspections following to ensure the presence of functioning equipment, awareness of personnel in positions of responsibility, and that there are detailed contingency plans and exit strategies. These cannot be allowed to diminish after the memories of the recent conflagrations ease into the background.

Our officials, elected and selected, are all energy and passion today, with what we interpret to be genuine concern and sincerity to get things done, to do them right. We further urge that there is no dilution of present devotion to the heavy responsibility in their hands, in the hope of thwarting or preventing recurrences of what came about in Mahdia and elsewhere before. It is easy to callout and criticize, but neither will bring back one child, restore one room in a single building. The call is for us to be vigilant, aware of our surroundings, and the gaps and limitations. Given all the money that we are spending on schools and other public structures, and the great proclamations over such developments, there must also be the readiness and honesty to take responsibility when things go wrong.

What was not anticipated? What could have been avoided, especially loss of life, given past experiences, and the restless nature of young charges? What better could have resulted if there was more focus on the details that can be admittedly devilish, and less on the politics of each situation, the appearance of being people of action, and leaders who care?

Aside from the Christ Church Secondary School inferno, there was a common restraining presence in both Mahdia and Mahaica. Padlocks and locks of every size and shape and variety now stand as a powerfully comforting feature of our personal security, the peace of mind of many across Guyana. Then there are steel grills securing padlocks, as have come to light from the Mahdia tragedy. Grills and locks are caging us like animals, and children left on their own, are lethal ingredients in a bitter stew from which only the disastrous flares.

Iron grills and steel locks are now part of our environment, and closely correlated to our feared criminal culture. Much hay is made of how much is being allocated for policing, so that Guyanese can feel secure, yet the grills go up, since there is not the proper level of confidence in the official security apparatus. It is what Guyanese feel that they must resort to, if only to secure themselves, their loved ones, and their property. Oftentimes, such precautions come back to haunt, and in the worst way possible.

We hear endlessly about the many corruptions and collusions involving officials and criminals. This necessitates locks and padlocks and grills in greater numbers, as citizens look to protect themselves in the best ways that they can. Without a doubt, locks and grills have their place, but when they are all over the place (every window, every door, every entrance, ad every exit), the odds multiply against should fiery danger appear. More confidence in official crime prevention could translate to more confidence without so much ironwork, steelwork, and grillwork to secure ourselves.

Editorial, energy, Guyana, inflammatory, Mahdia

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