Response to Minister Oneidge Walrond’s Draconion Orders during MV Barima National Tragedy

By Toshana Famey-Corlette- Minister Oneidge Walrond’s warning that legal action may be taken against those who share misleading information about the MV Barima tragedy raises a serious concern. While no responsible person supports the deliberate spread of false information, the Government must not create the impression that public scrutiny and legitimate criticism are now the problem.

The real issue before the nation is not social media. The real issue is that lives have been lost, families are grieving, and the country is demanding answers about how this tragedy was allowed to occur. At a time like this, the Government should be leading with transparency, not warnings.

The people have every right to ask whether the MV Barima was seaworthy, whether all inspections were properly conducted, whether safety requirements were fully complied with, whether there were deficiencies in maintenance, and whether those responsible for oversight discharged their duties. These are not reckless questions. They are the questions every grieving family and every concerned citizen deserves to have answered.

Minister Walrond’s statement acknowledges that investigations are ongoing and that evidence is still being gathered. That is precisely why the Government should exercise caution before appearing to shift its focus towards those raising concerns. Investigations should follow the evidence wherever it leads, whether that points to failures by crew members, operational staff, supervisory agencies or public officials.

At the same time, Minister Juan Edghill, under whose portfolio falls the Maritime Administration Department and the Government’s ferry operations, owes the country a full account of the systems that existed before this tragedy. The public deserves to know what inspections were conducted, what maintenance records exist, whether recommendations were acted upon, and whether every legal and operational requirement was satisfied before the vessel sailed. Given the gravity of these failures and the unprecedented lives lost due to negligence, I join the Leader of the Opposition’s call for the immediate resignation of Minister Juan Edghill.

I do not support misinformation, but neither do I accept any attempt to discourage citizens, journalists or elected representatives from asking legitimate questions. In any democracy, accountability is not achieved by warning the public. It is achieved through openness, honesty and the willingness of those in authority to answer difficult questions.

The families affected by this tragedy deserve more than expressions of sympathy. They deserve the truth. They deserve a transparent investigation whose findings are made public, and they deserve the assurance that if negligence or misconduct is uncovered, every person responsible will be held accountable regardless of position or office.

The Government must understand that public confidence will not be restored by cautioning citizens about what they say. It will be restored only when the full truth is known, responsibility is accepted where failures occurred, and meaningful action is taken.

I will continue to demand nothing less.

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Toshana Famey-Corlette is We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Member of Parliament and Shadow Minister of Home Affairs