Opposition Parliamentarian Ganesh Mahipaul is demanding that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government immediately disclose the status of the MV Barima salvage operation, arguing that 37 days have elapsed since the August 14 deadline for Expressions of Interest without the public being told when the wreck will be recovered.
In a statement issued today, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) parliamentarian accused the Government of allowing a procurement process to overshadow the families of victims and the need to preserve evidence for the Commission of Inquiry into the July 18 maritime disaster.
“Thirty-seven days!” Mahipaul declared.
“Thirty-seven days since August 14, 2026, when the Expressions of Interest process for the salvage of the MV Barima closed and the people of Guyana are still waiting for a contractor to be awarded the job.”
The Government had announced in August that MARAD was seeking a specialist salvage contractor to recover the 87-year-old vessel, which lies in approximately 13 to 15 metres of water. Officials said the operation presents significant technical challenges because of strong currents, poor underwater visibility and other conditions, while the recovery must preserve evidence potentially relevant to the Commission of Inquiry.
Following the August 14 deadline, Prime Minister Mark Phillips said submissions would be evaluated before a contractor was selected and negotiations undertaken.
“Today’s the day, bids come in. Then, they have to go through the bids. They have to do evaluation and then determine who will get the contract. Then we negotiate the contract,” Phillips said at the time.
By September 8, three companies had reportedly submitted financial bids for the salvage operation. Kaieteur News reported that B.K. International Inc. submitted the lowest bid, followed by Industrial Fabrication Inc. and Netherlands-based KMS B.V.
The Government has not publicly announced a successful contractor or mobilisation date.
For Mahipaul, that silence is unacceptable.
“This is no longer simply a procurement issue. This has become a question of decency, urgency, humanity and respect for the victims and their families.”
The MV Barima sank off Guyana’s northwest coast on July 18. Government figures recorded 73 bodies recovered, while 76 people were rescued; subsequent reporting placed the estimated number aboard the vessel at about 179, significantly above the original manifest of 133.
Mahipaul questioned the Government’s sense of urgency, directly asking President Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Phillips: “WHERE IS THE URGENCY?”
He also criticised the administration’s earlier handling of the question of whether the wreck should be salvaged. In late July, Phillips said families would help determine whether the vessel should be recovered or left as a memorial. The Government subsequently proceeded with a competitive salvage process.
Mahipaul said the wreck cannot simply remain underwater while administrative processes continue.
“Government cannot reduce the MV Barima tragedy to another file sitting on a desk somewhere in a Ministry. People died. The Government has a responsibility to demonstrate urgency in getting that vessel recovered.”
He also questioned what measures are being taken to protect potentially important evidence while the vessel remains submerged.
The Commission of Inquiry has been established with a five-member international and regional panel and began preparatory work in August. President Ali said substantive groundwork was expected to commence in September.
Mahipaul is demanding answers to 10 questions, including how many companies submitted EOIs, how many were shortlisted, whether a contractor has been selected, what is causing any delay, when the contract will be awarded, when mobilisation will begin and when salvage will actually commence.
He is also demanding information on measures being taken to preserve evidence and why families have not received what he considers a comprehensive update.
“If there is a problem with the procurement process, tell us. If the evaluation is incomplete, tell us. If negotiations are taking place, tell us. If a contractor has been selected, tell us. If there are technical difficulties, tell us. But do not keep the country in the dark. Silence should not be an option.”
Mahipaul has previously criticised the decision to use a competitive procurement process, arguing that the urgency of the tragedy warranted faster action and warning that prolonged submersion could compromise evidence.
His latest statement escalates that criticism.
“The dead deserve dignity. The families deserve answers. The evidence deserves to be preserved. And the country deserves accountability.”
He ended with a direct demand:
“Salvage the MV Barima. Preserve the evidence. Respect the families. Give the Commission of Inquiry what it needs and give the people of Guyana the answers they deserve.”
“Thirty-seven days have gone. How many more days does the PPP/C Government need?”
