Fire Chief sent home amid allegations of corruption

Roughly four months after the government had cause to send Fire Chief Kalamadeen Edoo on leave while it probed the disastrous Brickdam Police Station fire, the man who is due to retire soon has once again been sent home.

This time it surrounds an active investigation into allegations of his involvement in corrupt practices involving the issuance of certain certificates and licenses by the Guyana Fire Service.

Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn who has sectoral responsibility for agencies like the Fire Service confirmed that the Fire Chief was being investigated but declined to comment further when contacted by the News Room.

When contacted by the News Room Thursday afternoon, Edoo confirmed that he has been sent home on pre-retirement leave and said he was currently meeting with officials from the Home Affairs Ministry.

He did not deny the investigation but said he was waiting on it to commence. The Fire Chief would offer no other comment on the allegations.

There were also claims that he was attempting to prolong his employment at the Fire Service although he was approaching retirement.

His management of the Fire Service had been under the microscope in recent months.

It was reported in other sections of the media that Edoo reportedly used his office to receive gifts from suppliers.

Further, documentation suggests that Edoo was allegedly involved in increasing the charges for certain safety certificates with no traces of the monies being deposited in the agency’s account.