Rixon Peneux, brother of one of the three fallen soldiers from last Thursday’s explosion at Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri, is calling on the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to take responsibility for the death of the three men and to provide answers to the families as they seek closure.
Peneux, a former member of the GDF and the brother of 28-year-old Tooney Peneux, of Orealla Village, who along with two others – Lance Corporal Kevon Nicholson, 23, of Levi Dam, Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam and Private Shaqueel DeHart, 20, of Paradise Village, West Coast Berbice – died after a batch of defective fireworks exploded as they were preparing to discard it.
Rixon on Monday told Stabroek News that while he and his family appreciate the GDF footing the funeral expenses, he still wants answers because it is unclear how his brother met his demise. He also called for his brother to be promoted posthumously since he died while on duty and that all his benefits be paid to his parents.
“I blame the army for my brother’s death because when I went to identify him, his body was damaged but I know him. My brother was not supposed to go back till Wednesday but he got the call and said brother, duty [calls] I have to go in. He left my house healthy and return to work because he was dedicated and always willing to work but he died on the job,” the grieving brother said in tears while speaking with this newspaper.
Welfare officers of the GDF on Monday met with the families and related that the soldiers will be given a military sendoff and that the Force will be standing the cost of the funerals.
According to Rixon, when he made enquiries about the investigation, he was informed that the matter is still being investigated and that investigators are yet to speak with the survivors. The brother said that when he made queries based on what was reported in some sections of the media regarding how the soldiers met their demise, the officers informed him that what was reported is untrue as they are still investigating.
“I have to find out what it is because I have to report back to my daddy and mommy. They need to know what happen to their son too… I ask them to promote my brother and make sure he has all his benefits and let everything go to my parents because it is not easy for them… we just need know to what happen to my brother we need answers,” the brother declared.
DeHart’s mother, Melissa Huston, also welcomed the GDF standing the cost of the funeral and said “I can’t do nothing else. I already lose my eldest child and he won’t come back so I am happy to accept this.”
Staff officer One General Five, Major Greasels Hinckson, on Monday night told Stabroek News that Sergeant Quincy Threlfall, 43, the NCO who was hospitalised, was discharged from the hospital and was recuperating at home.
A source told Stabroek News the fireworks were left over from the batch that was procured for Guyana’s 50th Republic anniversary in February and the soldiers were tasked with destroying it. Fireworks from the same consignment had exploded during handling at the Coast Guard wharf just hours before the republic anniversary on February 22, resulting in the death of one soldier and injuries to seven others. The source said army officials were aware that the batch of fireworks was from a defective consignment and none of the ranks handling them yesterday appeared to have been wearing protective gear.
The GDF, in a brief statement on the day of the deaths, said it was investigating the circumstances surrounding the explosion, which occurred around 9 am at its Arms Store complex at Base Camp Stephenson, Timehri.
It said its preliminary investigations revealed that the soldiers were involved in the preparation of the pyrotechnics for demolition when the explosion occurred.
With this second deadly explosion in just over two months, the army is already facing questions about the measures put in place to handle explosives and fireworks. It is not clear if the soldiers were wearing protective gear and what level of training they possessed in relation to the handling of explosives.
There has been no publication of the findings of the Board of Inquiry that investigated the February 22nd explosion and the GDF’s Public Relations Officer, Heppilena Ferguson, had said she was unable to release any other information.
