Dear Editor,
Our sincere and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the MV Barima tragedy who are currently experiencing unimaginable heartache, and which has since July 18, engulfed this nation in an unprecedented level of mourning and grief.
I am sure that the manner of this tragedy will be indelibly engraved in the hearts and soul of all Guyanese, especially the families and close friends.
The social media is rife with commentators who all feel compelled to give their views on the causes of the tragedy, and while some may rely on facts and evidence and they claimed, many have dabbled with distorted inflammatory assumptions and conclusions and this is dangerous.
The latter category has made it conclusive that the government is to be blamed and Minister Edghill and Minister Indar should resign or be fired.
Massive disasters occurred all over the world in highly developed countries, yet expert investigations are conducted, reasons analysed and conclusions of culpability made, but in Guyana this tragic event is already pronounced upon by the opposition.
We have heard about the unseaworthiness and overloading of the vessel and the age of the vessel. It must be clear that age does not determine seaworthiness, especially when hundreds of millions have been spent from 2021 to 2024 and over $100 million budgeted for rehabilitation for this year.
Age-old vessels are a norm all over the world, especially when they are properly rehabilitated, inspected and certified as being seaworthy. If there is a case of overloading, then the investigation will unearth this.
In addition, we have seen posts by the opposition that the new vessel, MV Ma Lisha is being used for parties and frolicking by the government, whilst ignoring the fact that the wharf to berth the vessel has faced structural failures and delays.
Again, they conveniently ignored the fact that it plies other routes. But I guess this is convenient for the opposition’s deceptive narrative. This tragedy is now a ballot winner for the opposition. This smacks of insincerity and hypocrisy under the guise of mourning.
In conclusion, I am sure that there will be a thorough and proper investigation, evidence will be collected, findings and verdict delivered. The President and his government will spare no effort to get to the bottom of this tragedy.
Let us spare the families the additional emotional trauma of having to deal with unsubstantiated and falsely loaded claims. Let the actual evidence speak.