Latest update March 29th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 01, 2012 News
– final report expected by month-end
Former Judge and Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, Prem Persaud, will head a five-member Board of Inquiry that will investigate the circumstances that led to the recent breakout and arson at the New Opportunity Corps, Onderneeming.
The other members are Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Alfred King; Senior Superintendent and Divisional Commander of ‘D’ Division, Christopher Griffith; Senior Probation Officer of Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Trenetta Scott and Mr. Maydha Persaud, a retired headmaster and member of the Teaching Service Commission.
A release from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport stated that the Board will commence immediately to enquire into the events prior to and during the breakdown in order at the facility.
The Tribunal’s Terms of Reference will include all pertinent matters prior to, during, and after the escape on the 22nd August 2012; all pertinent matters prior to, during and after the fire on the 23rd August 2012; culpability of the person or persons involved in the escape; culpability of the person or persons involved in the fire and recommendations regarding appropriate disciplinary actions to be taken against those found culpable; the reviewing of existing arrangements at the facility and recommendations to prevent any such reoccurrences.
According to the release, also included in the terms of reference will be “such matter(s) as may in the opinion of the Board be considered relevant for the purpose of the inquiry”. It said that the Board can, if necessary, co-opt other skills and expertise that in its view will aid in the inquiry.
The Board is expected to meet early next week to plan its work schedule.
“The Board will invite submissions from all relevant stakeholders who are interested in contributing to its work. All logistical and other relevant support will be provided by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, with the Board’s Final Report expected by 30th September 2012,” the release said.
Asked on Thursday about allegations of abuse of some juveniles, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony had indicated that disciplinary action would be taken if the reports are verified by the Board of Inquiry.
Dr. Anthony said that even before the passing in 2010 of the Juvenile Offenders Amendment Act and the Training School Amendment Acts which prohibit corporal punishment, “there was a policy not to allow corporal punishment at the NOC.”
Kaieteur News has been told that some of the escapees alleged that they were physically abused, though a senior Ministry of Culture official said that none of the juveniles made such allegations to the team that visited the detention centre.
During his recent visit to the facility, Dr. Anthony had told reporters that from initial statements of NOC staffers, it was suggested that inmates of the facility had become hard to control since the banning of corporal punishment.
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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