Dear Editor,
The national tragedy surrounding the sinking of the MV Barima has claimed more than a hundred lives, shattered families, and left Guyanese demanding answers. Yet, amid the grief and mounting public outrage, another question deserves serious attention: Why are only certain Government officials being placed before the public to answer for this catastrophe?
From the earliest hours of the disaster, two faces have dominated the Government’s response—Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill. Both are Black ministers. They have been the ones conducting briefings, facing hostile questions, defending the Government’s actions and absorbing the public’s anger.
Noticeably absent, however, have been other senior figures who bear direct or broader responsibility.
Minister Deodat Indar, who has ministerial responsibility for the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), has been largely invisible. One would reasonably expect the minister responsible for the agency regulating maritime safety to be at the forefront explaining inspection regimes, vessel certification, seaworthiness standards and regulatory oversight. Instead, he has been conspicuous by his absence.
Even more striking has been the silence of President Irfaan Ali. Guyanese have become accustomed to a President who is omnipresent—whether inaugurating projects, responding to criticism, touring communities or taking charge of national events. His Government has cultivated an image of a hands-on leader who is everywhere and involved in everything. Yet during one of the darkest moments in our nation’s history, the President has not been the principal public face of the Government’s response.
Likewise, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, widely regarded as one of the administration’s most influential decision-makers and chief political strategist, has remained largely in the background.
This raises an uncomfortable question.
Is it merely coincidence that the Black ministers have been left to confront the public while the administration’s most powerful East Indian leaders have remained behind the scenes? Or is this a calculated political strategy designed to shield the Government’s principal leadership from the inevitable public backlash?
These are legitimate questions in a country where race and politics remain deeply intertwined. The People’s Progressive Party is widely perceived as drawing its strongest support from the Indo-Guyanese community and is led by East Indian political figures. Yet when the political cost of a national tragedy must be borne publicly, it is the Black ministers who appear to be carrying that burden.
Many Guyanese are asking whether this reflects confidence in those ministers—or convenience.
This is not an attempt to absolve anyone of responsibility. On the contrary, accountability should extend to everyone whose office carries responsibility for maritime transportation, public safety and national leadership. It should not stop with those sent before the cameras.
If collective responsibility exists when Governments celebrate achievements, then collective responsibility must also exist when Governments confront national disasters.
Some of us are not fooled by political choreography. Leadership means standing before the nation in moments of triumph and in moments of tragedy. It cannot be delegated selectively according to political expediency.
The families mourning loved ones deserve answers from all those entrusted with governing this country—not just those chosen to weather the political storm.
Yours truly,
Samuel Narine
