by Eulana Weekes
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, joined the CARICOM Secretariat and other CARICOM leaders in expressing words of comfort to the leadership and people of Guyana following the recent horrific tragedy that took several young lives.
“The government and people of Saint Kitts and Nevis mourn alongside the Government and People of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. It is difficult to express the deep sadness felt upon learning of the disastrous fire that occurred at the Mahdia Secondary School’s female dormitory. The void left by the 19 lives lost in the fire will ripple from immediate family and close friends to the wider community and the whole Guyanese citizenry. The effects of which may never be fully understood. The Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis offers its sincerest condolences to the families and friends of the victims and to the Government and People of Guyana. We also pray that those families and friends would find some measure of comfort at this most difficult time,” said Prime Minister Drew.
The expression of comfort by Dr. Drew comes on the heels of a message to the nation on Wednesday morning by Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali. He pleaded with social media users to show respect and be careful of what they post and share in relation to the tragedy.
“Let us focus our use of social media on motivational quotes, on prayers, on inspirational songs, on uplifting messages and not an opportunity to terrorise and come up with our own theories on these beautiful children’s lives. This is a time for national responsibility. Collective responsibility in seeking your help and assistance in ensuring that we use social media in a responsible way at this time. Having respect and regards for the families, the children, the teachers and the community. We are a very opinionated society. We all have our opinion on what is right, what is wrong and what should be done and what should not be done. As I said, there’s a time and place for everything, but, as I have said before, myself and the Government, as far as possible, we are going to fulfill the wishes and desires of these children and their families. The least we can do is and everything that we are doing, we are doing in consultation with the families and these children. We are putting their wishes and their desires as far as possible in the front seat. I ask all of us to do the same. Let us put our opinions and desires, for once, in the back seat,” expressed President Ali.
He encouraged all who have been showing support in a positive way to continue spreading hope, love and compassion to the individuals and families directly impacted by the tragedy.
