By Mark DaCosta- The People’s National Congress Reform / A Partnership for National Unity (PNCR/APNU) coalition has raised grave concerns regarding the circumstances surrounding the capsising of the MV Barima, demanding truth, accountability, and ministerial responsibility at the highest level. They have highlighted alarming discrepancies in passenger records, questioned the vessel’s seaworthiness and maintenance history, criticised premature statements by senior officials, and called for a fully independent investigation supported by external maritime experts.
The coalition further insists that two ministers step aside pending the inquiry, and that comprehensive reforms be implemented to prevent future catastrophes. These points were highlighted at a coalition press conference on July 24, 2026, which was followed by the release of a detailed statement.
The coalition has placed the weight of national grief alongside an unyielding demand for answers, insisting that the devastating loss of life aboard the MV Barima cannot be buried beneath sorrow alone. “Expressions of sympathy cannot substitute for truth, accountability and justice,” the coalition affirmed. In the wake of what has become one of the most harrowing maritime catastrophes in our nation’s history, the opposition grouping argues that sympathy must give way to rigorous scrutiny and ministerial responsibility.
The vessel overturned on Saturday, July 18, 2026, leaving our country mourning dozens of souls. By July 23, official figures confirmed seventy-two bodies had been retrieved, yet the coalition contends authorities remain unable to state precisely how many individuals were aboard.
This uncertainty stems from glaring inconsistencies in the official passenger register, the coalition asserts. Only a small proportion of those rescued appeared on the manifest, whilst later estimates placed the total far higher. “The failure is unacceptable,” the coalition declared, adding that these discrepancies hampered search efforts and deepened families’ anguish, exposing a breakdown of systems governing passenger registration, cargo oversight, and maritime safety.
Whilst acknowledging rescue personnel’s bravery, the coalition maintains operational courage cannot mask administrative failure. The government has suspended the management team responsible for loading and dispatch, but the coalition warns against scapegoating junior workers whilst shielding those who exercised political authority. “Ministerial responsibility means that accountability cannot end with a captain, engineer, dispatcher or wharf employee. The buck stops at the top,” they declared.
Two senior ministers sit at the centre of the coalition’s concerns. Public Works Minister Juan Edghill has drawn fire for remarks made before any inquiry began, reportedly attributing the disaster to tidal conditions or a “big wave.” The coalition notes this was undermined by the discovery of numerous unregistered passengers, contradicting assurances the vessel was not overloaded. The Transport and Harbours Department, under his ministry, operated and maintained the ferry.
The coalition has scrutinised the vessel’s maintenance history, highlighting a government tender issued in March 2026 for extensive rehabilitation. The document outlined the need to examine hull plating, replace deteriorated steel, renew wasted hatch beams, and conduct ultrasonic thickness testing. “These are not APNU’s words. They are taken directly from the Government’s own tender documents,” the coalition emphasised. They demand to know who concluded the vessel remained fit for a twenty-four-hour Atlantic voyage and who authorised sailing if works were unfinished. “Those are engineering questions. They deserve engineering answers,” they stated.
Minister Deodat Indar has also been singled out, as his portfolio includes the Maritime Administration Department, responsible for maritime inspection and safety enforcement. The coalition insists MARAD cannot investigate its own conduct without independent oversight, and has called for a probe supported by external maritime investigators, naval architects, and marine engineers.
The coalition has raised alarming questions about the emergency response. Reports indicate the distress signal was received by the Timehri Air Traffic Control Tower. The coalition asks who coordinated rescue efforts, what assets were deployed, and why it reportedly took approximately three and a half hours before an effective response reached the vessel — questions they argue expose inadequacies in our maritime emergency infrastructure.
The coalition demands the resignation or removal of both ministers pending an independent inquiry, alongside preservation of all passenger records, cargo manifests, maintenance files, and emergency logs. They have also called for continuing family support, fair compensation, independent legal advice, a national review of government ferries, and immediate reforms to ticketing, cargo weighing, crew testing, and maritime inspection.
The coalition has framed its demands as a moral imperative rather than political opportunism. Citing activist Sherlina “Lina Free” Nageer, they distinguished between exploiting tragedy and demanding accountability. “There is a difference between politicising a tragedy and demanding accountability for one,” they quoted. They added that “every Guyanese has a right to expect answers,” and that “the investigation must follow the evidence — not political convenience.”
For the coalition, the path forward is clear. “The victims and their families deserve truth, justice and fundamental reform — not excuses, premature conclusions, political spin or scapegoating,” they affirmed. They insist this tragedy must lead to lasting transformation of our maritime transportation system, ensuring such horror never again befalls our nation.
