Testimony of witnesses at Mahdia CoI being reviewed by commissioners - secretary

The testimonies offered by 29 witnesses during the presidential inquiry into the Mahdia dormitory fire are currently being examined by the commission, said Secretary Javed Shadick on Wednesday.

He told Stabroek News via telephone that based on the examination of these testimonies, the commission will determine if the inquiry will continue or not.

“We are currently looking at the testimonies and from there we [the commission] will know if they can suffice for the compilation of a report or if we have to continue the CoI and bring more witnesses,” the Secretary noted.

“We are checking to see whether they [the Commission] have covered, whether they got enough information for all the Terms of Reference… In some instances, we would have had persons [witnesses] who would have mentioned other persons, so they are checking to see if they need those persons to come and give their part [evidence],” he added.

According to Shadick, the media will be updated when it is decided whether or not the public hearings will continue.

The Commission of Inquiry which began on September 15, has thus far seen the appearances of Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussein; Former Regional Education Officer (REdO) of Potaro-Siparuni, Anesta Douglas; Fire Chief Gregory Wickham; Male Dormitory

Warden, Steve Jerome, Female Dormitory Warden, Carlita Williams; Fire Inspector Javid Mohamed; and Mahdia Fire Service Sub-Officer, Ryan Scott, among other witnesses.

Chief Magistrate (ag) Sherdel IsaacsMarcus back in August, swore in the members of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the May 21st Mahdia dormitory fire which claimed 20 lives prompting President Irfaan Ali to declare that there will be a thorough and impartial probe.

The CoI is currently chaired by Major General (retired) Joseph Singh and comprises Chairman of the National Toshaos Council, Derrick John and attorney-at-law and head of the University of Guyana’s Law Department Dr Kim Kyte-Thomas. They took their oaths at the Office of the President.