NOTICE
The Chairman and Commissioners of the Commission of Inquiry convened to inquire into the marine casualty involving the MV Barima, which occurred on the night of the 18th July, 2026, on the 10th day of November, 2026, at the Lula Room, Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Georgetown.
The Chairman and Commissioners have directed that the following sittings of the Commission will be held to accommodate survivors, and the family members of those persons who perished or who remain missing:
1) Monday, 16th November, 2026, is allocated for persons from Regions 3 and 4 to attend and give evidence;
2) Tuesday, 17th November, 2026, is allocated for persons from Regions 5 and 6 to attend and give evidence;
3) Wednesday, 18th November, 2026, is allocated for persons from Mabaruma and its satellite villages to attend and give evidence; 4) Thursday, 19th November, 2026, is allocated for persons from Port Kaituma and its satellite villages to attend and give evidence.
The Chairman and Commissioners have caused to be promulgated the following amendment to the Commission’s Rules and Procedures to accommodate the taking of testimony from the aforesaid persons. Rules 43- 46 remain fully in force unless otherwise directed by the Commissioners.
43a Where a witness has not provided a signed witness statement: –
(i) The witness, after being sworn in or having affirmed, Counsel for the witness (if any) will be permitted to elicit the witness’ viva voce evidence-in-chief in accordance with the customary rules governing the examination of one’s own witness in court proceedings, unless otherwise directed by the Commissioners;
(ii) If the witness has not retained Counsel, the Commissioners or the Commission Counsel may elicit the witness’ viva voce evidence-in-chief; and
(iii) The witness may then be cross-examined, questioned or re-examined, as the case may be, by the Commissioners, Commission Counsel or such Counsel/parties who have been granted standing as determined to be appropriate by the Commissioners based on the extent of their interest;
(iv) The witness may also be cross-examined by any person not granted standing (or their Counsel) as determined by the Commissioners upon an application.
Please note that travel arrangements and other accommodations for survivors and the families of those lost or who remain missing will be coordinated by the Secretariat. For further information, please contact the Office of the Secretariat located at:
Arthur Chung Conference Centre
5-E Half Orchid Drive
Liliendaal
East Coast Demerara
By Email: presidentialcommissiongy@gmail.com
Or via WhatsApp on 592-674-7473
