–vows support for grieving families

MINISTER of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Browne-Shadeek on Friday said the recent MV Barima ferry tragedy has plunged Guyana into “darkness and sorrow.”

She also offered heartfelt condolences to grieving families and said the government would support efforts to determine what went wrong and prevent a recurrence.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the National Toshaos Conference, Browne-Shadeek described the disaster as one of the country’s most devastating tragedies, stating that the loss of lives and the impact on families and communities would leave lasting scars.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that I stand here, overwhelmed by darkness and sorrow, as our nation mourns and attempts to navigate one of the most devastating tragedies that has fallen upon us,” she said.

The minister said the tragedy was deeply personal to her, not only in her official capacity, but also because she is a daughter of Region One (Barima-Waini).

She told the gathering, “For me, this tragedy is very personal, not only as Minister of Amerindian Affairs, but as a daughter of Region One.”

She recalled travelling to Port Kaituma on the morning after news of the disaster broke to await updates alongside residents who were still uncertain about the scale of the tragedy.

“When the news of this tragedy broke the following morning, [I went to] Port Kaituma to wait for news with the people, as we did not know the magnitude of the tragedy,” Browne-Shadeek said.

She spoke of the anguish experienced by relatives waiting for information on their loved ones, stating it was heartbreaking to face anxious mothers who had yet to learn the fate of their children.

The minister added, “By the time the names of the survivors were released, how do you tell anxious mothers who are waiting, ‘We did hear nothing about your son’s death, but we are still searching. Do not lose hope’?”

Browne-Shadeek acknowledged that the past several days had been difficult for the entire country and stressed that the government shared in the grief of those affected.

“I am saying this to let our people know that we feel their pain, the hurt, the feeling of being lost.”

Drawing on her own experience as the mother of three young children, the minister said she could only imagine the pain parents were enduring after losing their children in the tragedy.

“As a mother of three young children myself, every hour I look forward to going home… I don’t understand what the parents are saying and how they’re feeling,” she said.

On behalf of herself, her family and the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, Browne-Shadeek extended condolences to everyone who had lost loved ones and said the affected families remained in her prayers.

“I pray for every family that is hurting and pray that we find the strength and faith in these most trying times,” she said.

The minister also said the country must await the outcome of investigations into the tragedy to determine what happened, who was responsible and how similar incidents can be prevented.

“We await the investigations to determine what went wrong, who was responsible, and strive to ensure that the system protects our people at all times,” Browne-Shadeek said.

The MV Barima sank on July 18 after the passenger and cargo ferry, carrying approximately 179 people, capsized off Guyana’s Atlantic coast while en route from Georgetown to Port Kaituma in Region One. The incident is the deadliest maritime disaster in modern Guyanese history.

The tragedy has claimed dozens of lives, with recovery efforts continuing as authorities work to account for everyone who was on board.