Guyana’s parliamentary opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), is calling for the National Assembly to establish an independent Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima ferry disaster, which has unofficially claimed more than 100 lives.
In a letter to Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir, Opposition Leader in Parliament Dr. Terrence Campbell requested that Monday’s sitting of the 65-member House include a debate on the establishment of the commission and the adoption of its terms of reference.
The opposition says a transparent and independent investigation is essential to determine the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the Government-owned ferry, identify those responsible, and recommend measures to prevent a similar tragedy.
Speaking at a news conference on Friday, General Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), APNU’s largest constituent party, Sherwin Benjamin, warned that the opposition is prepared to organize mass protests if the Government refuses to support its call for a Commission of Inquiry.
Benjamin said the party intends to apply ‘the necessary pressure’ to ensure the matter is addressed urgently, adding that public demonstrations remain an option if Parliament does not act.
Meanwhile, APNU parliamentarian Saiku Andrews pointed to Government tender documents issued in March this year for the docking and rehabilitation of the 87-year-old Scottish-built MV Barima. According to Andrews, the tender required engineers to inspect approximately 10,000 square metres of hull plating and structural frames and replace deteriorated sections where necessary.
The scope of works also included replacing about 3,000 kilograms of corroded steel framing, 2,000 kilograms of deteriorated hatch beams over the cargo hold, 30 zinc anodes, 150 metres of fire lines, 20 air vents, and 180 square metres of hatch-cover tarpaulin. The tender further called for ultrasonic testing of the vessel’s hull and a detailed thickness assessment.
Andrews argued that the tender documents demonstrate Government engineers had already identified significant structural concerns months before the disaster.
‘The real issue is not whether Item 16 contains an error,’ Andrews said. ‘The real issue is that the Government’s own engineers identified the need to examine the hull, replace deteriorated steel, replace wasted hatch beams, replace zinc anodes, service critical components and carry out ultrasonic thickness testing only months before the tragedy.’
Also addressing the media, APNU parliamentarian and attorney Dexter Todd announced that a team of 15 lawyers has been assembled to represent and protect the interests of survivors and affected families.
Todd also disclosed that the captain and two crew members remain in police custody and could face manslaughter charges as investigations into the ferry disaster continue