Commonwealth _ Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn indicated on Monday that the assessment of Fire Chief Gregory Wickham’s future, accused of dereliction of duty in connection with the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire that claimed 20 children’s lives, is contingent on a thorough examination of the recently submitted report.
This report, handed over to President Ifraan Ali, underscores Wickham’s purported failure to prioritize a fire safety report about the Mahdia Secondary School’s dormitory. Sub-Officer Ryan Scott submitted the report less than three months before the tragic incident, revealing numerous fire safety shortcomings at the State-owned facility. These included a lack of fire prevention systems such as detection and alarm systems, exit signs, and smoke detectors. The report also highlighted the presence of only three fire extinguishers and grills on all windows in the buildings. Minister Benn refrained from providing a detailed assessment of Wickham’s performance, stating that a comprehensive review would be conducted in due course. The Commission of Inquiry (COI) report acknowledged Wickham’s limited action in response to the recommendations and recommended the promotion of Sub-Officer Ryan Scott. However, Minister Benn deferred comments on Scott’s promotion, emphasizing that discussions would occur during the review process.
The COI concluded that the Mahdia dormitory fire was intentionally set, following a threat by a female student after her cellphone was confiscated. A 15-year-old girl has been charged with 20 counts of murder and is currently remanded to a juvenile holding facility awaiting trial. The COI report urged action on improving fire safety protocols and highlighted the need for comprehensive reviews of fire service leadership and organizational procedures. Benn remarked that Wickham’s testimony before the Commission of Inquiry (COI), chaired by Retired Major General Joseph Singh, was not adequately expressed. A detailed review of the report will be conducted, and Benn mentioned that the COI review is scheduled to commence in about a month. When asked about his satisfaction with Fire Chief Gregory Wickham’s overall performance, Minister Robeson Benn responded, “I’ll speak to this matter when I am on the floor giving my presentation,” referring to the ongoing debate on the GUY$1.146 trillion national budget in the National Assembly.
The Commission of Inquiry (COI) reported that Wickham acknowledged taking action on only one of the 12 recommendations, specifically regarding fire hydrants. He informed Guyana Water Incorporated about the need to upgrade water mains, which the COI deemed a minimal response and not fulfilling the duties expected of the country’s most senior fire officer. In response to inquiries about Fire Chief Gregory Wickham’s overall performance, Minister Robeson Benn deferred his comments, stating, “I’ll speak to this matter when I am on the floor giving my presentation,” alluding to the ongoing debate on the GUY$1.146 trillion national budget in the National Assembly. The Commission of Inquiry (COI) report revealed that Wickham admitted to taking action on only one of the 12 recommendations, specifically regarding fire hydrants. He informed Guyana Water Incorporated about the need to upgrade water mains. The COI deemed this response as minimal and falling short of the duties expected from the country’s most senior fire officer. Despite Minister Benn’s refusal to comment, the COI applauded Sub-Officer Ryan Scott’s performance and recommended his promotion. The minister maintained that discussions on this matter would be deferred until the review process. The COI investigation determined that the fire at the Mahdia Secondary School dormitory was intentionally set, occurring shortly after a female student threatened to burn it down because her cellphone had been confiscated. As a result, a 15-year-old girl has been charged with 20 counts of murder and is currently remanded to a juvenile holding facility pending trial.
