–Prime Minister urges witnesses to come forward as investigation will determine cause of disaster
The Government of Guyana will establish an independent Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the MV Barima tragedy that has claimed dozens of lives, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips announced on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference, Phillips said while the government’s immediate focus remains on search, rescue and recovery efforts, a full investigation will be launched to determine what caused the disaster.
“The answers to many of your questions will come out of the subsequent inquiry that will be done,” the Prime Minister said as he responded to questions from the media about the vessel, its cargo and allegations surrounding the circumstances leading up to the sinking.
He urged anyone with information relevant to the incident to present it to the inquiry once it is established, rather than relying on speculation or unverified claims.
“When the investigation process starts, the Commission of Inquiry, or whatever you want to call it, feel free to come forward and give statements and present your facts to that commission. That will be an independent Commission of Inquiry. We are obligated as a government to do that,” Phillips said.
The Prime Minister made the remarks after being questioned about reports that heavy machinery had been loaded onto the vessel before its departure and whether mechanical issues had been reported before the voyage.
Phillips said government officials at the press conference were not in a position to verify those claims, stressing that the inquiry would provide the appropriate forum for witnesses to submit evidence and for investigators to examine the facts.
He also emphasised that the scale of the tragedy made a thorough investigation imperative.
“A lot of people lost their lives there. A lot of people, even though they may have been rescued, were left traumatised,” he said.
The 87-year-old MV Barima sank off the Essequibo coast on Saturday night while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma in Region One.
Authorities have since revised the number of people believed to have been aboard the vessel to 179, comprising 161 passengers and 18 crew members, as search and recovery operations continue.
