Dear Editor,
I wish to use this opportunity to respond to an article which appeared in Stabroek News (SN) on July 16 under the caption ‘Parents of children killed say CCPA keeping them in dark’.
In commenting on the Stabroek News article I want to say that the tragic demise of 6 year old Antonio George and his 3 year old brother Joshua George in the fire which engulfed the Drop-In Centre on Hadfield Street, shocked the nation. What eventuated brings into question conditions at the centre and the operationalizing of those institutions responsible for children, both in the care of the state and in private homes. For two days I participated in the picketing exercise outside the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA) office that was organized by Red Thread Women’s Development Organisation, to demonstrate my concerns on the manner and circumstances of the children’s demise and, just as importantly, to stand in solidarity with the Georges in their moment of grief.
My presence on the picket line provided me with the opportunity to speak first hand with the parents of the deceased children on their experiences in their interface with senior officials of the CCPA. The letter I referred to above, and other public media sources had carried reports pertaining to the parents’ complaints against the CCPA. As such there is no need for me to restate them here. Suffice to say, however, that if the parents’ reports are true I am of the opinion the alleged conduct of the CCPA officials was grossly unprofessional and insensitive to the parents of the two children. I was disturbed that the CCPA’s alleged insensitive behaviour continued even after President David Granger had announced the setting up of the one woman Commission of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances of the children’s death.
When all of the facts are considered the behaviour of those officials can be described as self-serving. Theirs seems to be an ivory tower mentality with misplaced notions of ‘power’, which has produced a work culture to do as they please when dealing with the families of the poor and powerless. This approach to human, social and economic problems has no place in the new dispensation which was ushered in by the results of the 2015 general and regional elections. As I understand it, it is the duty of public officials to serve the people, not oppress them. In serving, they are expected, as the process evolves, to help them to alleviate their difficulties. To all appearances very little help has been extended to the Georges to deal with their problems.
Much is expected in terms of reforming this state agency after the Commission of Inquiry has completed its work. How the tragic death of these children is dealt with will determine the extent of our humanity as a nation.
The fire and deaths at the Drop-In Centre, coming so quickly after the Camp Street prison fire in which so many inmates lost their lives, have forced me to reflect in a profound way on conditions in those national institutions which deal with the incarceration of citizens and in particular, those charged with the responsibility for the safe-keeping of children and juveniles.
The pain and grief of the masses must be addressed wherever possible if the gains of the new political dispensation are to be consolidated.
Yours faithfully,
Tacuma Ogunseye
