Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has assured Guyanese that those responsible for the MV Barima tragedy will be held accountable once an independent Commission of Inquiry (COI) completes its work.
During a radio interview on Wednesday, the prime minister said government is committed to establishing the COI as early as possible to determine exactly what led to the country’s worst maritime disaster.
According to PM Phillips, the inquiry will comprehensively examine events before the ferry departed, adherence to operating procedures, passenger manifest discrepancies, cargo handling, emergency response measures and any breaches of established regulations.
“I can assure you, yes, we will have a Commission of Inquiry, and people will be held responsible based on the outcome, the results and the recommendations of that Commission of Inquiry,” the Prime Minister stated.
While acknowledging that discrepancies have already been identified between the number of passengers on board and those listed on the official manifest, the prime minister cautioned against drawing conclusions before investigators complete their work.
He stressed that allegations regarding overloading and operational failures must be determined through an independent investigation rather than speculation.
The prime minister also defended government’s decision to place some Maritime staff on administrative leave, explaining that such measures are standard practice while investigations are underway and should not be interpreted as findings of guilt.
He said the COI will not only identify responsibility but will also recommend reforms to strengthen maritime safety, improve ferry operations and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
PM Phillips reiterated that government remains focused on supporting affected families while ensuring that the investigation provides the answers the nation deserves. (DPI)