CoI to decide Edghill and Indar’s fate

Aug 19, 2026 News

…inquiry to begin early September — President Ali

(Kaieteur News) President Dr. Irfaan Ali has stated that any administrative or executive action on calls for the removal or suspension of Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill and Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar will depend entirely on the findings and recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the MV Barima disaster.

The President’s statement comes amid persistent weekly protests outside the Office of the President (OP) and widespread public calls — from survivors, families still awaiting news of loved ones, civil society, and politicians — for political accountability over alleged systemic negligence and neglected maintenance of the state-owned vessel.

President Ali during his press conference

Addressing journalists and communications officers at a press conference on Tuesday, President Ali emphasised that he will let the independent body complete its investigation without executive interference or political speculation.

“An independent CoI has been established to determine everything that you’re speaking about,” President Ali said. “I am not going to add to speculation or be part of speculation. I believe that if we honestly and truly want an independent analysis, a transparent analysis, then the CoI, having been established, provides that opportunity. That is why the independence of the CoI was critical and important to us. The CoI, having been established, will conduct its work, make its determination, its recommendation, and then we’ll take it from there.”

President Ali added that he would not prejudice any executive action, apart from immediate measures aimed at addressing maritime safety.

“I would not prejudice any action, save and except those that are essential in the period from now to the end of the CoI, which include looking at safety — that is why an independent team has been established, to look at the safety of every vessel, to look at the current gaps and to have those fixed immediately,” he said. “That is as it relates to the MV Barima. I would add nothing more to that. The work of the CoI is the work that I will base my action on when their recommendation comes to me. I think, having established the CoI independently, we have to have respect for the work of the CoI.”

Inquiry groundwork underway for early September sittings

Providing an update on the panel’s operational readiness, President Ali said the Commissioners have begun setting up their procedural framework and work plan.
“In relation to the CoI, the team is in place. They have started looking at their procedures, settling their procedures, and working out their work plan,” Ali reported. “And from what I’m told, in early September, the actual work would commence here on the ground.”

Justice Godfrey Smith, Chairman of the C0I

The five-member Commission took its oath of office on 30th July, 2026, before President Ali and Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman. Headed by former Belizean Minister and jurist Justice Godfrey Smith, the panel was promised full administrative, technical, and financial backing from the State.

President Ali’s update follows remarks from Justice Smith, Chair of the CoI, who told Kaieteur News that the panel remains focused on foundational logistics.
“We are still in preparatory stages, meetings… for now we are still organising ourselves,” Justice Smith said.

Secretary to the CoI, Attorney Javed Shadick, confirmed with Kaieteur News that official notices on the schedule and format of public sittings will soon be published broadly.
“Usually, it would be advertisements sent out to all the newspapers,” Shadick explained, adding that legal and administrative parameters are being carefully finalised to handle various hearing scenarios.

The inquiry stems from the tragic events of 18th July, 2026, when the 87-year-old MV Barima capsized off the Essequibo coast near the Pomeroon while on a scheduled voyage from Georgetown to Port Kaituma, Region One. The disaster — one of the deadliest in the nation’s maritime history — left 73 people confirmed dead, 76 rescued, and at least 30 others missing and feared dead.

Pricing to be submitted for MV Barima vessel salvage

On the issue of raising the sunken vessel, President Ali said the government is advancing through its procurement pipeline following the close of the Expression of Interest (EOI) window.
“I think on Friday, the expression of interest would have closed. They have received a number of expressions of interest,” President Ali said. “Those interests are being shortlisted now by the agency, and then those shortlisted entities will be invited to supply prices to have the vessel salvaged.”

Asked about the total number of applicants, and whether a distinction was made between domestic and international contractors, the President said evaluation remains criteria-based.
“I don’t have the exact number. I think it’s 10 or more… don’t hold me to that,” President Ali said. “And I don’t know that there is a distinction between local. I know there was a criteria, and companies would have made proposals in relation to that criteria. That is why there’s a shortlisting process, to ensure that those companies that meet the criteria are those that proceed.”

Ministers Edghill and Indar

Providing financial context, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, disclosed during his weekly programme ‘Issues in the News’ that the total cost to salvage the vessel is estimated between US$8 million and US$10 million.

According to official Request for Proposals (RFP) documentation published by MARAD, the recovery operation poses substantial engineering challenges. The 38.6-meter ferry lies as a wreck in soft seabed mud at depths of 13 to 15 meters (42 to 49 feet). The RFP notes that visibility at the wreck site is poor, and that strong currents and tidal streams may be encountered at times, requiring robust procedures and equipment for safe operations.

Prospective contractors were required to submit methodologies covering all operational stages, demonstrate five to ten years of successful salvage operations in Guyanese or Caribbean waters, and prove technical capability to stow the hull upright on a barge while preserving forensic evidence for the CoI.

Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed had previously issued a public appeal requesting state authorisation to raise the vessel at zero cost to the state, using specialised international salvage teams. Mohamed criticised initial proposals to leave the vessel submerged, calling them “premature and wicked” and an “act of cruelty.”

“Families have reached out to me saying they want the bodies of their loved ones, even if all that remain are bones. It will bring closure,” Mohamed said. “The government did not exhaust every possible option. They have not sought out international help with the expertise and equipment to recover that vessel. Yet, they are already talking about turning it into a memorial.”

Escalating public outrage and family demands

These political and legal developments are unfolding against a backdrop of deeply emotional public demonstrations. Outside the Office of the President in Georgetown, grieving relatives and civil rights organisations continue to rally, demanding rapid physical recovery of the hull and executive accountability.

Among the demonstrators were relatives of Neil and Kenrick Cort, both still unaccounted for within the submerged wreckage. Neil Cort, 57, had operated the ferry’s canteen for 37 years; his brother Kenrick, 53, was on board assisting him. Collin Solomon, 54, serving as family spokesperson, strongly condemned the administration’s timeline.

“We gather out here to express our dissatisfaction about the government’s slow pace and their ineffectiveness towards bringing closure to our loved ones who have not been recovered,” Solomon told members of the press. “It is very uncaring of the government to say that they need two weeks to negotiate for people to bring up this boat. It’s an emergency, and they should be able to bring an urgent effort.”

Solomon pointed to years of alleged maintenance neglect aboard state ferries, saying the official pace reflects a lack of urgency.
“Because the President is not in that boat, no Minister is in that boat, and none of their family is in that boat, they do not care,” Solomon said. “If their family was in that boat, it would have been up already. We demand justice. We demand accountability.”

The demonstrations have expanded beyond individual families. During peak traffic hours, citizens including representatives from the Amerindian People’s Association (APA) and multi-ethnic civil society allies gathered outside the Office of the President. Holding placards and chanting “Raise the boat now” and “Accountability begins at the top,” demonstrators underscored that the disaster disproportionately impacted riverine and Indigenous communities in Region One, who depend on state maritime infrastructure for basic survival. Protesters emphasised that salvaging the hull is essential — not only to return remains to grieving families, but to preserve forensic evidence critical to the CoI’s upcoming mandate.

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Commission of Inquiry (COI), Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar, Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill, MV Barima disaster, President Ali, September

One thought on “CoI to decide Edghill and Indar’s fate”

habeeb August 19, 2026 at 4:38 pm

Yes, for sure, Irfan. Hopefully…..if only…
Your COI will recommend Indar and Edghill be charged with the murders
of the Barima’s passengers.
They shall not be dismissed until facing trial for the murders ?

Reply ↓

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