The government will continue to finance funeral and burial expenses and provide immediate assistance to families affected by the M.V. Barima tragedy, while any decision on compensation will be determined following the findings of an independent Commission of Inquiry (COI).
This is according to Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips.
Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, the prime minister stressed that the government’s immediate priority is supporting grieving families and completing the rescue and recovery operation.
“The focus now is not on compensation. The focus is on recovering bodies, financing the burial and funeral rites, and providing whatever assistance the families need now,” he said.
He emphasised that the support currently being extended to families should not be interpreted as compensation.
“That is not deemed compensation. That is the government’s responsibility in times like this to assist families,” the prime minister stated.
Prime Minister Phillips announced yesterday that the government intends to establish an independent commission of inquiry as soon as the rescue and recovery operation concludes.
“As we close off the rescue and recovery operation, it is the intention of the government to have a commission of inquiry mounted as early as possible,” he said.
According to the prime minister, the commission’s findings and recommendations will guide any decisions regarding compensation.
“After the commission of inquiry, then the issues of compensation will be determined because it will be guided by the commission of inquiry, the report, and the recommendations,” he explained.
DPI
