The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) extends its deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones following the tragic sinking of the MV Barima off the Guyana seacoast within the vicinity of the Pomeroon River on the night of Saturday, July 19. We also empathise with those who survived this horrific ordeal and the families who continue to await answers. Like the entire nation, we pray for favourable outcomes for those still missing.
The APA takes note of the ‘revelations’ made by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, on Sunday night, but reminds him that for years, passengers travelling on the North-West ferries have complained of the deplorable state of the vessels, the behaviour of some crew members and the general unsafe conditions they are forced to endure in travelling between the North-West and Georgetown. Therefore, based on those reports, Saturday’s tragedy was one waiting to happen.
While Guyanese of all ethnicities reside in the North-Western District of Guyana, the majority of the population is Indigenous, and all use this mode of transportation because it is the most cost-effective, given the high costs of other means of travel. Persons would travel for various reasons, including medical, business, education, and even vacation. The tragedy is a devastating reminder of the risks and inequities that Indigenous Peoples and other hinterland residents face, and while many have learned to cope with what is offered to them, this does not have to be so. The state has a responsibility to provide safe, reliable and cost-effective means of transportation for its citizens.
For too long, the safety of those who depend on Guyana’s air, waterways and roads has not received the level of attention, urgency and care it deserves. Minister Edghill’s report that a manifest did not match the identities of some of the rescued passengers exposes poor management and accountability in the operations of the vessels serving the North-West District. Who oversees the operations of the vessels that they do not detect what appears to be corrupt practices in overloading? Who is responsible for the regular maintenance of the vessels that a seemingly unseaworthy and aged vessel is allowed to ply dangerous routes without care for the souls on board? The acceptance and normalisation of corrupt practices, which Minister Edghill describes as “mischief”, have consistently contributed to systemic failures in this tragedy.
The APA therefore calls for a comprehensive, independent and transparent review of this tragedy. Further, we call for a similar review of Guyana’s entire river and sea transportation systems, through which people move from one place to another, as many of these systems have numerous faults and flaws. In the case of the MV Barima, the review must go far beyond determining the immediate cause of the sinking. It must critically examine the structural deficiencies that continue to place passengers at risk in similar circumstances, including maritime vessel safety standards, maintenance regimes, licensing and inspection procedures, crew training and certification, passenger capacity enforcement, emergency preparedness, weather monitoring, search-and-rescue capabilities, communication systems, and the adequacy of regulatory oversight.
Equally important, this review must include meaningful consultation with the indigenous and riverain communities that rely on these services every day. Those who navigate these waterways daily understand the realities, dangers and shortcomings of the current system and must have a voice in shaping the solutions.
The loss of lives aboard the MV Barima must become a turning point for significant improvements in public safety and maritime regulation. We cannot afford to hear the Government of Guyana respond to a tragedy with temporary expressions of sympathy, only for another one to highlight public deficiencies. Every tragedy that fails to produce meaningful reform increases the likelihood of another.
The Government of Guyana must commit to sustained investment in safe, reliable and modern river and sea transportation facilities and infrastructure. This includes stronger enforcement of maritime regulations, routine inspections of passenger vessels, improved emergency response mechanisms, mandatory safety equipment that is regularly inspected and accessible, and greater accountability across every agency responsible for protecting those who travel on our waterways.
The APA also urges that the ongoing investigation be conducted with swiftness, complete transparency, and integrity. We further recommend the use of expert and independent investigators to assess this tragedy through an impartial lens.
We call for the removal of the Minister of Public Works, under whose purview the Transport and Harbour Department falls, and under whose watch this tragedy occurred.
The families of those who perished, the survivors, and the wider public deserve clear answers about what occurred, whether established safety protocols were followed, and what corrective actions will be implemented to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated. Today, we also mourn with the families and the nation. We remember those whose lives were cut short. We pray for strength and healing for the grieving families and for the full recovery of those who survived. We are also thankful to every stakeholder who has been part of the search and rescue mission.
The APA is ready to provide assistance to those affected by this tragedy in whatever way we can, as we reflect on what happened. Safe transportation is not a privilege; it is a fundamental right that every person in Guyana deserves, regardless of whether they travel by road, air or river.