Nearly three months after the MV Barima sank with dozens of people aboard, families learned for the first time on Wednesday that BK International may be brought in to salvage the vessel—a disclosure that drew sharp criticism from Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, who questioned why the wreck had not been raised much earlier.
Speaking at the Commission of Inquiry’s meeting with bereaved families and survivors at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Mohamed said he had no confidence in the government or the inquiry, arguing that the prolonged delay in recovering the vessel could compromise the search for answers.
Mohamed, who used his private boat during the search and recovery operation and helped recover scores of bodies, told the commissioners he had offered to assist in raising the vessel just days after the disaster.
“I think the same way, before commencing, we should raise the boat.”
He added:
“I have no confidence in this administration. It continues to show it day by day, and I have no confidence and trust in the COI.”
Mohamed also questioned whether the Commission could be fully trusted, pointing to what he described as close associations between some commissioners and senior government figures.
He specifically questioned one commissioner about an alleged association with Minister Keoma Griffith, and raised concerns about another commissioner’s alleged closeness to President Irfaan Ali.
“We have a commissioner sitting right in front of us, whom I know. One of them, I would like to question your association with the dishonourable Keoma Griffith…who the government sent out to vandalise and coerce our Indigenous people to collect five million dollars for the death of their children.”
Mohamed then turned his attention to another commissioner, whom he said was close to the President.
“We have another commissioner sitting right in front of us who is very close to the one and only uncaring President Irfaan.”
Mohamed argued that such relationships could undermine public confidence in the Commission’s independence and the integrity of its findings.
The issue of the vessel’s salvage became a central point at Wednesday’s meeting after Commissioner Dr Andrzej Jasionowski disclosed that BK International was the preferred bidder to undertake the operation. He said discussions had already taken place with the company’s salvage team about recovering the wreck while preserving evidence.
The disclosure was the first time families were publicly informed that BK International was being considered for the salvage, despite repeated demands over the preceding weeks for the vessel to be raised.
Mohamed questioned the circumstances surrounding the procurement process and suggested that preparations had been made before the contract became publicly known.
“Before this contract was awarded to BK…. they already ordered the barges maybe a month or two months ago. They already knew that the contract was awarded.”
He argued that the wreck is relatively shallow and should not present an insurmountable technical challenge.
“That boat is just 40 feet under the surface of the water. We have Exxon pumping our oil 6,000 feet down. We are earning 7.5 billion Guyana dollars every single day just on oil revenue. And now you’re telling me we can’t float this boat?”
He continued:
“What is so hard to float a boat that is ten miles off the Essequibo Coast and 30 feet down? What is so hard about that? Bringing up the evidence.”
The MV Barima, an 87-year-old government-operated vessel, capsized off Guyana’s northwest coast on July 18 while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. The disaster resulted in numerous deaths and left families demanding answers about what caused the vessel to sink and whether more could have been done to prevent the loss of life.
Mohamed was among private citizens who joined the immediate search and recovery effort. Using his own boat, he participated in operations that resulted in the recovery of scores of bodies.
He also called for the release of the three men charged in connection with the disaster, arguing that their continued detention could affect the Commission’s ability to obtain information relevant to its investigation.
“Let us get the three innocent men out of jail, from the charges. Because I worry if you’re going to get the truth from them. They will be scared.”
Mohamed further called for immediate financial assistance to bereaved families, saying many continue to struggle while coping with the loss of their loved ones.
“These families need five million Guyana dollars of interim payments for all the hardships they are going through, because I deal with them on a daily basis. I know what it is.”
He said some relatives were struggling even to attend the Commission’s proceedings.
“Some of them don’t even have transportation to come out here. They give them five thousand Guyana dollars, and why not provide food for them?”
The Commission has maintained that it will follow the evidence wherever it leads. Chairman Justice Godfrey Smith has assured families that the inquiry will be conducted without fear or favour.
For Mohamed, however, the delay in recovering the vessel, the late disclosure about the proposed salvage contractor and what he considers potential conflicts involving commissioners have combined to undermine confidence in the process.
“So I don’t believe and I don’t have no trust in the COI.”
