Families’ suffering is not campaigning material — Ayinde Sampson — Opinion

Families’ suffering is not campaigning material

October 9, 2026·2 min read

Dear Editor,

The families affected by the MV Barima tragedy^[1] deserve answers, dignity and the opportunity to speak for themselves. Any attempt to turn their engagement with the Commission of Inquiry^[2] into a platform for party politics deserves firm condemnation.

There is already a disturbing parliamentary record. Reporting on the July 27 sitting documented opposition MPs banging tables, chanting and closing in around speakers addressing the disaster.^[3]

The sitting was briefly suspended twice, and parliamentary security personnel were called to provide a buffer near the prime minister. This was an appalling way to conduct public business concerning a national tragedy.

APNU and WIN cannot reasonably expect their declarations of concern to go unquestioned after such conduct. Demanding accountability carries a responsibility to listen, examine information and use opportunities to challenge it.

The families’ meeting with commissioners must centre on the people who suffered. Relatives may choose their own support and representation, but no politician should assume ownership of their grief or speak over them.

In my view, the parliamentary spectacle displayed a desperate preference for confrontation over serious engagement. That behaviour must not follow the families into the inquiry process; their suffering is not campaign material, and their search for answers must never become another party performance.

Yours faithfully,
Ayinde Sampson

References

Families Told BK Intl to Salvage MV Barima as Commission Vows to Find Answers – Village Voice News — villagevoicenews.com ↩
MV Barima inquiry pledges to follow evidence ‘without fear or favour’ – Department of Public Information, Guyana — dpi.gov.gy ↩
Opposition MPs’ disrupt parliamentary sitting over MV Barima tragedy, but govt proceeds with agenda — demerarawaves.com ↩

Families Told BK Intl to Salvage MV Barima as Commission Vows to Find Answers – Village Voice News

villagevoicenews.com · 2026-10-08

Families Told BK Intl to Salvage MV Barima as Commission Vows to Find Answers – Village Voice News # Families Told BK Intl to Salvage MV Barima as Commission Vows to Find Answers by Admin October 8, 2026 MV Barima COI Commissioners at Wednesday October 7, 2026 meeting with families of the tragedy and supporters The families of those killed and survivors of the MV Barima tragedy were told Wednesday that BK International is being lined up by the Government to salvage the sunken vessel, a development that came as the Commission of Inquiry met face-to-face with relatives for the first time. The disclosure was made during the Commission’s meeting with affected families at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, almost three months after the vessel sank on July 18 with more than 170 people aboard. The wreck remains underwater off the Essequibo Coast and is considered a potentially critical source of evidence in determining what caused the disaster. Commissioner Dr. Andrzej Jasionowski, a Polish naval architect and marine engineer, said he met the prospective salvage team on Tuesday to discuss how the vessel could be recovered while protecting its evidentiary value. He said negotiations were still being finalised but indicated that salvage operations could begin this month. Families and many Guyanese only learned on Wednesday, at the Commission’s meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, that the Government was moving to have BK International salvage the Barima. The disclosure came nearly three months after the vessel sank and as relatives continue to seek answers about the disaster and the recovery of those still believed to be inside the wreck. Three companies submitted bids for the salvage operation—BK International, Industrial Fabrication Inc. and Netherlands-based KMS B.V. BK International submitted the lowest bid, approximately G$1.034 billion, under a “no cure, no pay” arrangement. ... The significance of the disclosure was heightened by the fact that the vessel is believed to still contain bodies and cargo, making the recovery potentially crucial to both families seeking closure and the Commission seeking answers. Commission Chairman Justice Godfrey Smith of Belize told relatives that the inquiry had undertaken considerable preparatory work since its appointment, including developing rules, identifying witnesses and examining documentation, particularly records relating to the vessel’s certification. ... Smith said the Commission would examine the circumstances surrounding the sinking without beginning with predetermined conclusions. ... He said the commissioners intended to be thorough in examining the evidence and determine, as far as possible, how and why the tragedy occurred. ... Commissioner Nyree Dawn Alfonso, a Trinidadian attorney with expertise in admiralty and maritime law, also assured families that she would bring her experience to the investigation. The Commission has been tasked with examining the vessel’s seaworthiness, passenger and cargo operations, crew qualifications and conduct, regulatory oversight, search-and-rescue efforts and other factors that may have contributed to the disaster. The July 18 tragedy claimed 73 lives, while 30 people remain unaccounted for and 76 survived, according to the latest figures reported by the Goverment. Formal public hearings are scheduled to begin on October 14, with more than 100 witnesses expected to testify.

Sources

Families’ suffering is not campaigning material in Guyana Times, October 9, 2026
Families’ suffering is not campaigning material in Guyana Chronicle, October 9, 2026

MV Barima inquiry pledges to follow evidence ‘without fear or favour’ – Department of Public Information, Guyana

dpi.gov.gy · 2026-10-08

October 7, 2026 The five-member Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Barima pledged on Wednesday to conduct an independent, transparent and people-centred investigation into the July 18, 2026 tragedy. Introducing the commissioners to the media, Chairman Justice Godfrey P. Smith said the inquiry would examine not only the vessel’s final moments but also the decisions, conditions and failures that may have contributed to its sinking. “We approach our task with no predetermined view… and will inquire into all the circumstances around the sinking of the Barima, without fear or favour,” he said. ... The investigation will cover the vessel’s seaworthiness; passenger and cargo operations; the qualifications and conduct of its crew; search, rescue and recovery efforts; regulatory oversight; and human factors that may have influenced decisions before and during the tragedy. ... ##### Families, survivors at the centre Even before taking testimony, the commissioners met with approximately 120 relatives and survivors at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. Some attended the meeting with young children. Justice Smith acknowledged the profound grief families continue to endure and warned that the proceedings could revive painful memories and raise further questions. “We cannot promise that every question you may have will have an answer. But we will endeavour to find those answers,” Justice Smith told the gathering. ... Family members and survivors who spoke described their grief and loss and appealed to the commission for answers. At the close, some embraced the commissioners, sobbing as they were comforted. ... Justice Smith said the commission wants to hear from the three crew members charged in connection with the tragedy because they may hold important information. Their participation, however, must be handled within the law and with due regard for their rights and whatever legal advice they might receive from their lawyers, he said. ... “We are collecting as much information as we can, and we promise you that we will follow the evidence wherever it leads,” he said. The commission expects to examine more than 100 witnesses, consider documentary and technical evidence, and visit communities and locations connected to the tragedy. ... Recovery of the Barima remains an important part of the investigation, although commissioners said the inquiry’s success does not depend entirely on raising the vessel. ... Arrangements for salvaging the vessel are being advanced, and late Wednesday, the National Tender Board awarded the contract for the salvaging of the MV Barima to BK International. Commissioner Rear Admiral Hayden Pritchard said substantial documentary, technical and other evidence had already been gathered, allowing the investigation to proceed without relying solely on the vessel’s recovery. ... The commission intends to complete its work in approximately six months, while maintaining that a thorough examination of the evidence must guide the process. Smith said the outcome must go beyond explaining the sinking to identifying lessons that can help prevent another tragedy. “When this inquiry is complete, the country should know more than simply what happened… It should know what lessons can properly be learned from the tragedy.”

Opposition MPs disrupt parliamentary sitting over MV Barima tragedy, but govt proceeds with agenda – Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana

demerarawaves.com · 2026-07-27

Opposition MPs disrupt parliamentary sitting over MV Barima tragedy, but govt proceeds with agenda – Demerara Waves Online News- Guyana ... Despite the eruption of protest by all opposition members of parliament (MPs) inside the chamber of the National Assembly to force bipartisan agreement on the terms of reference for the commission of inquiry into the sinking of the ferry MV Barima, the government pressed ahead with its agenda. Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed ignored House Speaker Manzoor Nadir’s offer of five minutes to address the 65-seat National Assembly about the ferry tragedy that has unofficially claimed the lives of about 100 persons. ... None of the MPs from the main opposition We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) participated in the consideration of financial papers for the government’s additional request of GY$$54.89 billion, and debate on the Guyana Development Bank Bill. A number of opposition MPs, who were slated to ask ministers several questions ignored calls by the Speaker to do so. ... Instead, they chanted “Who must go? Edghill and Indar”, their call for the resignations of public works minister Juan Edghill and Minister responsible for the Maritime Administration (MARAD) Deodat Indar to resign and make way for an independent commission of inquiry into the ferry tragedy of July 18 in the Atlantic ocean off the Essequibo Coast. The opposition lawmakers banged tables, and almost encircled Attorney General Anil Nandlall, who read a statement concerning the ferry incident on behalf of President Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Mark Phillips while he was giving a timeline of events since the first distress signal was detected. Despite two brief suspensions of the sitting to allow for dialogue with the opposition, the MPs ignored pleas by the Speaker to stop disrupting the sitting of the National Assembly. On each occasion that opposition MPs closed in on Mr Nandlall and Mr Phillips at the lectern, government ministers and other ruling party MPs moved to form almost a protective shield around them. At one point the Sergeant at Arms and two assistants were subsequently called in to serve as a buffer between the opposition MPs and the prime minister at the lectern. The WIN, APNU and FGM MPs had also refused to move from tables and chairs that were provided for ministers and their officials to participate in the consideration of financial papers. As an alternative, the Speaker allowed the prime minister and other ministers to move to other seats. Ruling party MPs James Bond, Sanjeev Datadin, Peter Ramsaroop and Charles Ramson were seen standing strategically in apparent anticipation of any forward movement by the opposition legislators. ... Outside the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, a handful of persons stood in protest against the government. ... rights activist Laura George