PPP has not convened a national effort to address MV Barima tragedy

Dear Editor,

In 2005, when torrential rains flooded the Coastlands, President Bharrat Jagdeo did not wait. On day one, he convened a national emergency meeting—Cabinet, the Opposition Leader and his lead members, the Joint Services, the Red Cross, religious leaders, and civil society. Sub-committees were formed. A Joint Operations Centre was activated. All hands were on deck. Guyana launched a national effort; not a PPP effort.

Fast forward to 2026. The MV Barima capsized off the Pomeroon coast. A distress call went out at 11 p.m. The boat had been taking water since 7 p.m. Yet, the search and rescue operation did not commence until daylight—a full seven hours after the boat had sunk. Minister Juan Edghill blames darkness and a lack of scanners. That is an excuse, not a plan.

Now, days in, President Irfaan Ali speaks of “rescue.” Rescue whom, Mr. President? A fish?

This is no longer a rescue mission. It is a recovery operation—and we are failing it.

Unlike 2005, this response is being coordinated by the Prime Minister and a PPP selected team, without the Opposition Leader, without his spokespersons, without the Red Cross, without religious leaders, and without a wide cross section of civil society. Where is Mr. Komal Singh with all his boats? Instead of a national effort, we have a PPP effort. Instead of a healing balm, we have political attacks—arresting an Opposition MP and keeping the Leader of the Opposition waiting for two hours with floating bodies, despite him sharing coordinates.

The scientific facts are unforgiving:

• 72 hours is the window before the bloat phase begins. That window has expired.
• In 96 hours, bodies will float. Once at the surface, wave action can carry remains 20 miles in 24 hours. Planes are useless at this point, no need for Mr. Gerry Gouveia to sell himself. Only fishing boats and Coast Guard vessels can help. It is all about search boats.
• In two to three weeks, scavengers on the seabed will skeletonize what is left.

We are now deep into active decomposition. Every hour we lose is a body we may never recover.

Yet we have the most advanced offshore oil industry in the region at our doorstep. Is anyone talking to Exxon? Are we using their technology and resources enough? If not, why not?

And while families grieve, we have six GDF patrol boats hovering over a tagged location—guarding a wreck instead of searching for bodies. The location is marked. It does not need a naval fleet. What it needs is a fleet of recovery vessels combing the water, not standing still.

Mr. President, you sat at Charity appearing remorseful. That is not leadership—that is theatre. Lead from the front. Get on a GDF patrol boat. See for yourself. Do what Mr. Azruddin Mohamed did—get your hands dirty.

This is not a time for blame. There will be time for that later. This is a time for recovery. Accept help from Mr. Azruddin Mohamed. Accept help from Mr. David Granger. Accept help from anyone who can pull a body from that water.

This is a national crisis, not a political one.

The world is watching us, Mr. President.