Committee to assist with investigations surrounding burning of two NOC facilities
Georgetown, GINA, August 24, 2012 -- Source - GINA
A committee is to be set up to investigate what triggered the actions of students from the New Opportunity Corps (NOC), a juvenile correctional facility at Ondeerneeming, Essequibo Coast, which resulted in burning of two buildings in the NOC compound, the female dormitory and the garment construction building.
The Ministry will be consulting with a number of Ministries and other partners who have experience in such matters and a committee will be set up, whose members will visit the institution in Region Two to conduct a more in-depth investigation into the incident.
Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Frank Anthony visits one of the facilities that will be used to host the 19 persons that were displaced by the fire.
Following the episode, a number of students who would have attempted to escape returned of their own volition to the institution.
On Wednesday night students broke out of the institution and by midday Thursday, the Ministry reported that all of the students with the exception of two were recaptured through the assistance of residents of nearby communities, community policing groups and staff of the institution.
The students were interviewed on what could have been the cause of their actions but the Ministry stated that no valid reason was given at that time.
Meanwhile the instigators of the fire who are said to be 13 students, nine females and four males are in police custody. And as the investigation continues more arrests will be made and persons brought before the court.
Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Frank Anthony visits the Female dormitory that was set a fire by students of the New Opportunity Corps (NOC).
Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Frank Anthony who visited the scene today stated that the immediate concern of the Ministry is to ensure the 19 students who were displaced by the fire are placed in a safe environment. A space has identified to temporarily house them until a permanent building can be erected.
During today’s visit it was not clear as to what the reason(s) may be for the students’ action, hence the committee will work on finding answers.
Minister Anthony said that work will began immediately to clear the debris and hopefully soon the dormitory will be rebuilt.
The Garment Construction building that was completely destroyed at the New Opportunity Corps
Minister Anthony also stated that the Ministry will be looking at rebuilding and retooling the garment construction building which was completely destroyed. A number of items were destroyed such as; sewing machines, text books, beds, and clothes among others.
The NOC staff also had the opportunity to raise their concerns and some of the challenges they would have had over the last two days and Minister Anthony promised to address those challenges highlighted.
He also stated that security on the premises will be reinforced to ensure order is maintained.
The institution will also be going through some changes in terms of students being restricted from certain areas and that will be maintained until there are signs of normalcy.
Minister Anthony commended the staff, residents, the Guyana Defence force and the Guyana Fire Service for their quick response during the incident.