Forde skewers planned payout to Mahdia fire families

Roysdale Forde

Member of Parliament and Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde yesterday blasted a planned government payout to the families of the 20 children who died in the Mahdia dorm fire and which would constitute a settlement of any possible claim arising against state.

Forde, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) shadow Minister of Legal Affairs said he expected the sum enshrined in the agreements signed with the families to be a “token presentation” of the compensatory package to come.

“I expect the sum announced by the Government to the families who suffered in the Mahdia Dorm fire to be a token presentation of the compensatory package to come, for G$5 million (or US $25,000) for death, and G$3 million (or US$15, 000) for the lifetime of trauma and injuries the children and families must endure is no compensation”, Forde said about the agreement which was reported in the media on Monday.