Even though a decision on what will happen with the recently destroyed Drop-In Centre has not been made, a source from the Ministry of Social Protection indicated that the building will not be used again and the ministry will be looking to build another structure elsewhere to house the children.
Two children, Joshua George, 3, and Anthony George, 6, had perished in the July 8 fire; 29 other children who were at the facility had escaped.
The two boys and three other siblings had been taken from their parents, Sonia and Leon George just days before following reports of abuse and neglect.
President David Granger had ordered that a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) be held and former Guyana Defence Force spokesperson Colonel Windee Algernon had accepted the offer to conduct it with a deadline of July 22 for completion.
A preliminary report was submitted to Minister of State Joseph Harmon on Friday last.
The source had told Stabroek news that a decision on the fate of the building would depend on the completion of the CoI. However, the source explained to Stabroek News that a “senior official” was not happy with the children going back to that site and a preliminary decision had been made to procure another building or a land where a new building can be constructed.
However, the source explained that so far the ministry has no idea what building or area would be suitable.
The Childcare and Protection Agency (CCPA) and Ministry of Social Protection had announced that the ministry was taking full responsibility for the incident and would cover all expenses of the funeral, which it did.
However, there were adverse reports of the treatment meted out to the children’s parents and social and human rights activist had protested in front of the agency’s office.
Prior to this month’s fire, there was another one in 2010 that had burnt the top flat of the building, prompting the authorities to repair and refurbish it. Head of the CCPA Ann Greene had stated that the new building was equipped with firefighting and preventative measures and the staff were also trained.
All of the displaced children remain in the care of the state at the Sophia Care Centre.
