The Joint Opposition has launched a coordinated parliamentary offensive over the MV Barima disaster, unveiling three major parliamentary measures aimed at securing ministerial accountability, an independent international marine safety investigation, and urgent debate in the National Assembly. The proposals underscore the Opposition’s determination to subject the tragedy to immediate parliamentary scrutiny.
The package, announced in a statement issued on July 24, was jointly crafted by opposition parties, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), the Alliance For Change (AFC) and the Vigilant Political Action Committee (VPAC). It comes amid growing public concern over the sinking of the MV Barima on July 18, one of Guyana’s deadliest maritime disasters, which has claimed dozens of lives and prompted widespread questions about maritime safety, vessel oversight and government accountability.
The first measure is a notice under Standing Order No. 12, signed by Opposition Chief Whip Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, seeking leave to adjourn the National Assembly to debate what is described as a matter of urgent public importance.
According to the notice, the proposed debate would focus on the MV Barima tragedy, the catastrophic loss of life, and questions surrounding ministerial and regulatory accountability, including whether Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Minister Deodat Indar, who has responsibility for the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), should continue discharging their official duties while investigations remain ongoing.
The Opposition argues that the scale of the tragedy, public concerns about maritime safety, and the need to preserve confidence in any investigation make the issue too urgent to await the normal parliamentary schedule. It also contends that the continued occupancy of office by the ministers could create a reasonable perception that the independence and integrity of investigations may be compromised.
The second parliamentary initiative is a Motion of No Confidence in Ministers Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar, to be tabled by Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and FGM Leader Amanza Walton.
The motion argues that the sinking resulted in tragic loss of life, trauma for survivors and immense suffering for families while raising serious concerns about oversight, maintenance, inspections, seaworthiness, operational safety, emergency preparedness and regulatory compliance. It further states that public confidence in the Government’s management of maritime safety has been significantly undermined.
The motion calls on the National Assembly to express no confidence in both ministers for failing to provide effective ministerial oversight of Guyana’s maritime transport system and urges them to resign in keeping with the principles of accountability, transparency and good governance. It also argues that preserving the credibility of ongoing investigations requires that all relevant documents and evidence remain free from any actual or perceived ministerial influence.
The third proposal calls for an independent marine safety investigation into the sinking in accordance with Guyana’s obligations under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
The motion, presented by Amanza Walton and Shadow Public Works Minister Janelle Sweatnam, argues that the sinking constitutes a “very serious marine casualty” under the International Maritime Organization’s Casualty Investigation Code, thereby triggering a legal obligation for Guyana to conduct a marine safety investigation.
Unlike a criminal investigation or a Commission of Inquiry, the proposed investigation would focus on establishing the technical and operational causes of the disaster, identifying contributing human, regulatory and organisational factors, and making recommendations to prevent similar tragedies.
Recognising Guyana’s limited technical capacity to conduct such an investigation independently, the motion also urges the Government to seek immediate assistance from the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and to appoint suitably qualified, independent marine safety investigators. It further calls for the preservation of all physical, documentary and electronic evidence and for the final investigation report to be published and laid before the National Assembly.
In its accompanying statement, the Joint Opposition said the suffering endured by victims’ families demands accountability and meaningful action. It maintained that the call for ministerial resignations is not a presumption of wrongdoing but a safeguard to ensure public confidence that investigations proceed without interference.
The Opposition also insisted that any investigation must be impartial, transparent and technically competent, examining issues including vessel maintenance, certification, safety procedures, regulatory oversight, operational decisions, passenger and cargo management, emergency response and any other factors that contributed to the disaster.
It concluded by urging all Members of Parliament to support the measures and place the interests of the Guyanese people above partisan politics, saying the country deserves truth, accountability and reforms to ensure such a tragedy never occurs again.
