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Pres. Ali to unveil 5-member Int’l COI today to probe MV Barima disaster
…says inquiry will assess vessel seaworthiness, institutional failures and recommend reforms
…Opposition shut out, calls for livestreaming of full inquiry, separate technical marine safety investigation
(Kaieteur News) – President Irfaan Ali is expected to announce a five-member commission today that will probe the July 18 capsizing of the MV Barima ferry that has so far claimed the lives of 73 persons with families still hoping to locate loved ones.
In a statement on Saturday afternoon, the Head of State said the commission will be named in keeping with his commitment to establish an “international and independent” commission of inquiry, into the circumstances surrounding the capsizing of the vessel and interrelated issues.
The sunken 87-year-old MV Barima
Ali assured that the commission will comprise distinguished experts and professionals with extensive knowledge and experience in relevant fields, including law, marine engineering, maritime safety and disaster investigation.
He said, “The members have been carefully selected for their independence, technical expertise, and proven ability.”
The President noted that the Commission will be responsible for determining its procedures and method of work.
To this end, the five-member team is expected to carry out a thorough, impartial examination of this tragedy. Ali said the Commission will assess the circumstances leading to the capsizing, and sinking of the vessel, the response efforts, and all related matters. “Its work will seek to identify any shortcomings or failures, recommend appropriate accountability where warranted, and propose reforms that will strengthen his safety and reliability of Guyana’s maritime transportation system,” the President said.
President Irfaan Ali is expected to announce the five-member Commission to probe the circumstances surrounding the capsizing of the vessel.
The Commission will examine the issues such as the loading of the vessel; passenger boarding procedures; conditions on board; the vessel seaworthiness; maintenance history; compliance with maritime laws and safety standards; the conduct and competence of the master and crew; passenger management and lifesaving arrangements, as well as a role of weather, sea conditions, and other operational factors.
President Ali noted that the Commission will also undertake a review of the search, rescue and recovery operations, assessing the adequacy, coordination, and effectiveness of the response by all agencies and stakeholders involved.
The President made it clear the Commission will be empowered to determine whether any acts of negligence, misconduct, dereliction of duty, or institutional failures contributed to or caused this tragedy. It will also recommend any legislative, regulatory, institutional, or operational reforms necessary to prevent a recurrence.
He urged Guyanese to continue to keep the families of victims and survivors in their prayers as they navigate this difficult period.
No consultation with Opposition
Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed expressed disappointment with the announcement by the President which he said was made without any consultation with opposition Members of Parliament (MPs).
Mohamed said, “Given the magnitude of this national tragedy, I am disappointed that neither I, as Leader of the Opposition, nor any parliamentary opposition party was consulted in the establishment of the Commission. In an effort to build national confidence, this should have been an inclusive and transparent process.”
He urged that if the government was serious about ensuring a truly independent investigation, then Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill and Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar, whose ministries have responsibility for MARAD and the Transport and Harbours Department (THD), should be recused from any involvement while the inquiry is ongoing. In fact, the Leader insisted that the two ministers should be required to appear before the Commission and answer all relevant questions.
Furthermore, the leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party pointed out that reports for previous COIs have been hidden from the public, which he hopes does not reoccur in this matter. Mohamed expressed hope that the Commission would function independently and conduct its work transparently, with the full inquiry being livestreamed given its national and international impact. Additionally, he made it clear that the full final report must be released to the public.
The Opposition Leader also suggested that as a member of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), Guyana should seek the involvement of appropriate international maritime experts and institutions to support this investigation.
Parliamentary involvement
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) expressed concern that the President did not send Ministers Edghill and Indar on administrative leave, pending the outcome of the inquiry.
The party said, “In any mature democracy, public officials with ministerial responsibility for a sector in which such a catastrophic failure has occurred would step aside to ensure public confidence in the investigative process. Their continued presence in office raises serious concerns about independence, transparency, and accountability.”
Of equal concern to APNU was the fact that President Ali did not consult with the Parliamentary Opposition despite the group represents a substantial portion of Guyanese. It said reports indicate that the Commission was selected solely by the Head of State, contrary to widespread calls from civil society and the opposition for an inclusive process.
To this end, the party made it clear that a COI can only enjoy public confidence if it is genuinely independent and visibly free from political influence. As such, it noted that “excluding the opposition from the process undermines that confidence from the outset and creates the unfortunate perception that this exercise is designed to manage public outrage rather than establish the full truth.”
APNU argued that the families of those who lost loved ones as well survivors and the nation deserves answers instead of a process that seems predetermined or carefully controlled by the very administration whose agencies are now under scrutiny.
The party therefore reiterated its call for Edghill and Indar to be sent home pending the conclusion of the investigation; meaningful consultation with the opposition on the commission members and terms of reference, a transparent investigation with full public disclosure of all relevant documents, maintenance records, inspection reports, and communications relating to the MV Barima.
APNU also demanded full accountability regardless of political office or status.
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Blunt of the day
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Sir. Ronald Sanders
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Weekend Cartoon
Ali’s government is a DICTATOR-SHIP.
He sidestepped opposition parties and selected a group that is involved in
Maritime Field.
Meanwhile, salvaging the BARIMA is necessary for the Inquiry. However,
It should never be repaired, put back into service.
Instead, it must be on DISPLAY in a covered building for all Guyanese,
the world to see, loaded with same weight, recovered materials etc. and copy
the manifests for display. AS PROOF it was OVERLOADED.
FINALLY, since the Government does not have enough funds to immediately
purchase a brand new PASSENGER ship, Ali may need to sell his farm,
use the funds for purchase of new passenger ship, to replace Barima.