A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Saiku Andrews has raised concerns about the level of support being provided to families affected by the MV Barima tragedy, stating on Wednesday that relatives continue to struggle with grief, financial hardship and a lack of closure.
Andrews made the remarks during a meeting between the Commission and families, survivors and other affected persons at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. He has been a regular presence at weekly protests alongside relatives and survivors, demanding justice, accountability and closure following the July 18 sinking.
Andrews stated families he encountered had repeatedly complained that, apart from G$300,000 reportedly provided toward funeral expenses, they had received little meaningful financial assistance.
“All you can hear from those persons who stood to testify was that they were not receiving any serious support outside of that three hundred thousand contribution towards funeral expenses, which was inadequate in itself.”
He highlighted the case of a young woman whose father, described as the sole breadwinner of the family, died in the tragedy. Andrews said the woman’s sister, who has a disability, was promised assistance with transportation to and from school, but that assistance had not been forthcoming.
Andrews also recounted the experience of a mother from Berbice whose son died in the tragedy.
“Someone called her a few times, asked her what is it if you wanted food? She said, ‘We don’t want food stuff. We want more than food stuff.’”
He questioned the level of counselling being provided to grieving families, saying some had received telephone calls but little sustained personal support.
Andrews urged the commissioners to take into account the distrust expressed by families and members of the wider public toward the government’s handling of the tragedy.
The Commission is examining the circumstances surrounding the sinking, including the vessel’s seaworthiness, passenger and cargo operations, crew conduct, regulatory oversight, safety procedures and the search-and-rescue response.
The MV Barima, an 87-year-old passenger and cargo vessel, departed Georgetown for Port Kaituma on July 18 before capsizing and sinking off the Essequibo Coast. The disaster resulted in multiple deaths and left survivors and families demanding answers about how the vessel was allowed to operate and what led to its sinking.
Andrews also raised allegations concerning the vessel’s mechanical condition, recounting accounts that it had been operating with one engine and that a large generator aboard the vessel was allegedly not properly secured. Those allegations have yet to be established by the Commission.
He said the government should acknowledge any failures and allow the families to move toward closure.
“Admit to the people of this country that you erred. Move on. Be humble. Be humble, President Ali. Be humble, guys. Accept that you erred. You have failed. Accept responsibility for your failure, and allow these people some closure.”
Andrews questioned why the government could not provide greater financial assistance to families, suggesting that G$1 million could have helped them organise memorial activities and meet some of the expenses arising from the tragedy.
“You telling me that this government could not have afforded a million dollars to give to these families? So that they could have done the recast. They could have had the families gotten together. They could have done a little mini memorial for themselves.”
The recovery of the sunken vessel has become a major issue for the families and survivors, who have repeatedly called for it to be raised because they believe it contains critical evidence and could provide answers about what happened.
During Wednesday’s meeting, the Commission informed that the government intends to have BK International undertake the salvage operation.
Andrews said the continuing uncertainty was compounding the families’ grief.
“The pain, agony, the anguish, the lack of closure is just unprecedented.”
He urged Guyanese to continue supporting the affected families, particularly those in Regions One and Two who cannot attend every protest.
“Let us continue to stand with them. Let them know, let them know that we’re standing with them until this matter comes to an end.”
Andrews acknowledged that the tragedy would never truly end for the families who lost loved ones, but said their pursuit of justice must continue until they are satisfied that accountability has been achieved.
