Chief Education Officer, Permanent Sec. summoned to appear before Mahdia COI

Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain and former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mae Thomas were on Friday summoned to appear before the ongoing Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) in the Mahdia Secondary School dorm fire.

When public hearings into the inquiry convened on Friday, attorney Keoma Griffith informed the Commission that two witnesses; Hussain and Thomas, were expected to testify.

However, Griffith informed the Commission, which is chaired by Major General (Ret’d) Joe Singh, that they were not present.

“For reasons unbeknown to me, they are not here. I had expected these persons to appear much earlier in the week and for some reason, they have not attended to this Commission to answer questions,” Griffith said.

As such, he requested that both Hussain and Thomas be summoned by the Commission.

“I am therefore asking this Commission to exercise its powers under the act for summons to be issued for Mr Saddam Hussain…as well as Miss Mae Thomas,” Griffith said.

The request was granted by Singh.

Hussain and Thomas will therefore be summoned to appear before the Commission on October 10, a date requested by Griffith.

Public hearings into the CoI commenced on September 15. To date, a number of witnesses including officials from the Guyana Fire Service as well as the dorm mother and father have given evidence before the Commission.

According to the Terms of Reference, the CoI will inquire into and report on everything leading up to the dormitory fire as well as the cause of the fire.

They will also investigate and report on what actions were taken to provide care, medical attention, and support to the injured and deceased and their relatives, in a timely manner.

Recommendations are also expected from the commission, which will include necessary measures to prevent a reoccurrence of such tragedies.

Public hearings is expected to resume on Friday afternoon. One witness is expected to testify.