Dear Editor,
Primarily, my condolences to the grieving family members, friends and a sorrowful nation on the loss of lives of those who had been travelling on the M.V. Barima ferry. Minister Edghill needs to be held accountable as the Minister of Public Works and Transportation. In respectable countries, such a Minister would humbly resign, after a tragedy of this magnitude.
The details about the estimated number of passengers are unravelling and commendations should be extended to those seeking the truth about the cause(s) of the disaster. Hence, the Opposition Leader should be praised for his rapid response in trying to recover victims and visiting the survivors and their families. It is hoped that other government Ministers and officials, Party leaders and Members of Parliament, would raise a hue and cry. Countrywide protests will be appropriate to reflect the concern, grief and frustration of a nation being exposed to continuous and monstrous calamities. A few, fairly recent examples are the death of Adriana Younge and the dormitory fire where numerous children lost their lives. It seems like the vulnerable will remain vulnerable in the “unorthodox Land of Guyana.”
A statement was given by the government soon after the tragedy occurred and it attributed the cause to a wave capsizing the ferry, according to statements they received from survivors. Subsequently, they said the Captain and another crew member tested positive for narcotics. It is time to stop the disrespect and assault on our intelligence.
I wish to highlight some issues as we await reliable evidence that might be mustered.
We cannot let this incident fade into distant memory and remain another huge blemish on our society. Our populace, children and the vulnerable continue to be ignored and abused.