The CoI Cannot Do The President’s Job — Amanza O.R. Walton — Opinion

The CoI Cannot Do The President’s Job

August 21, 2026·1 min read

Dear Editor,

The President of Guyana abdicated his responsibility when he said he would take no administrative or executive action against Ministers Edghill and Indar unless and until the Commission of Inquiry^[1] reports.

By saying that Edghill and Indar’s fate depends on the CoI, the President is attempting to transfer his executive and political responsibility to a commission that he has appointed. The Commission cannot decide who serves in his Cabinet. That decision belongs to the President alone, or ought to, anyway.

The CoI must determine facts and make recommendations. The President must exercise judgement and ensure accountability. Relieving the ministers of their duties pending the inquiry would not be a determination of guilt but would certainly protect the integrity of the process.

The glaring contradiction in the President’s posture should not be missed. He has said that he cannot take temporary administrative action against Edghill and Indar until the CoI’s report because he does not want to prejudice the inquiry. Yet three operational officers were arrested, charged with murder and placed before the courts even before the CoI had begun its work.

While strictly speaking the President does not initiate criminal charges, politically, his position is difficult to defend. The State was prepared to act immediately and coercively against the captain, chief mate and the T&HD officer, while the President claims that he must await the CoI before taking the far less severe step of suspending the responsible Ministers.

If sufficient preliminary evidence existed to initiate proceedings against operational employees, then there is more than enough justification for the precautionary suspension of a minister whose agencies and responsibilities fall within the inquiry.

The CoI did not prevent the State from acting against operational officers; it cannot be used as an excuse to refuse to act against Ministers.

Sincerely,
Hon. Amanza O.R. Walton, MP

References

Allowing Edghill and Indar to remain, prejudices CoI - Kaieteur News — kaieteurnewsonline.com ↩

Allowing Edghill and Indar to remain, prejudices CoI - Kaieteur News

kaieteurnewsonline.com · 2026-08-21

Allowing Edghill and Indar to remain, prejudices CoI - opposition leader - Kaieteur News ## Allowing Edghill and Indar to remain, prejudices CoI – opposition leader Aug 21, 2026 News (Kaieteur News) – Warning that the integrity of the MV Barima disaster inquiry is actively at risk, Leader of the Opposition Azruddin Mohamed has once again called for the removal of Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar, arguing that allowing them to remain in office severely prejudices the ongoing investigation. In a video address posted to his official “Team Mohamed’s” media page on Wednesday, Mohamed insisted that true impartiality is impossible while the top officials overseeing the sector retain their executive powers. “When it comes to the CoI, we have no confidence in simply being told to trust another government-appointed process,” Mohamed declared. “We have seen CoIs before. Where are the reports? Where are the answers? Where is the accountability?” Ministers Edghill and Indar Mohamed framed the demand as a matter of basic administrative ethics, insisting that any official whose portfolio falls within the scope of an investigation must step aside until the facts are established. “We also call for Ministers Edghill and Indar to be removed while the inquiry is being conducted,” Mohamed urged. “If the investigation is supposed to be impartial, then those who may be implicated in the circumstances being investigated should not remain in positions where they can influence the process. That is basic common sense.” His remarks amplify an escalating wave of public outrage, fuelled by bi-weekly demonstrations outside the Office of the President. Survivors, grieving families awaiting answers, civil society advocates, and opposition politicians continue to push for political accountability over alleged systemic negligence and unaddressed maintenance issues on the state-owned vessel. Addressing the growing pressure during a media briefing, President Irfaan Ali firmly rejected calls for preemptive suspensions, maintaining that any administrative or executive action will depend entirely on the final findings of the independent commission which is set to begin in early September. “An independent CoI has been established to determine everything that you’re speaking about,” President Ali told reporters. “I am not going to add to speculation or be part of speculation. I believe that if we honestly and truly want an independent analysis, a transparent analysis, then the CoI, having been established, provides that opportunity.” President Ali reiterated that his administration will respect the commission’s process and await its formal recommendations before taking action. “I would not prejudice any action, save and except those that are essential in the period from now to the end of the CoI, which include looking at safety,” the President added, noting that a separate technical team has been tasked with auditing state vessels and addressing safety gaps. “The work of the CoI is the work that I will base my action on when their recommendation comes to me. Having established the CoI independently, we have to have respect for the work of the CoI.” Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms. Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491. Or by Email: glennlall2000@gmail.com / kaieteurnews@yahoo.com GUYANA 24 Saffon Street, Charlestown, Georgetown, Guyana Editor-in-chief Kaieteur News: Tel: +592-225-8482. Switchboard: +592-225-8491, +592-225-8452. Email: kaieteurnews@yahoo.com Radio Dept.: +592-225-8465, +592-226-8210, +592-226-7455 Radio Whatsapp/SMS: +592-622-2222 Email: radiokaieteur@gmail.com ________________________ USA Teshawna Lall: (347) 247-3198 Dominic Chandra: (347) 599-6426 Email: kaieteurnewsny@gmail.com

Source

The CoI Cannot Do The President’s Job in Guyana Standard, August 21, 2026