Dear Editor,
Guyana’s Leader of the Opposition, Azruddin Mohamed, offered immediately to assist with the recovery of the sunken MV Barima at no cost to taxpayers or the Government of Guyana. According to his supporters, he was among the first volunteers on the scene, working alongside local fishermen before government assets arrived.
Questions are now being raised about why the vessel’s recovery was delayed and whether the eventual award of a recovery contract to BK International was conducted in a fair, transparent and accountable manner.
These questions become particularly relevant given businessman Brian Tiwari’s declaration following the controversial 2020 elections that he was “back with the PPP” and fully supported the work of President Irfaan Ali and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.
There are also questions surrounding BK International’s previous dealings with the State. The company, along with its insurer, North American Fire and General Insurance Company (NAFICO), faced a multimillion-dollar lawsuit instituted by the State over an alleged breach of contract relating to the construction of the Yarrowkabra Secondary School on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
Guyana, should we be demanding answers as to whether the recovery of the MV Barima was deliberately delayed to facilitate the eventual award of the contract to a politically connected company, as some are now alleging? Can the government provide full transparency on the procurement process and explain why families have had to wait so long for the recovery of their loved ones?
These are serious questions that deserve serious answers.
The choice is very clear: should we examine Azruddin Mohamed’s offer to assist with the recovery, or accept the government’s explanation for the delay and subsequent contract award?
Let’s discuss.
Yours truly,
Egland Gomes
