APNU Member of Parliament Dr Terrence Campbell has written Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir for permission to move an urgent adjournment motion when Parliament meets on Monday, seeking a debate on the terms of reference for an independent Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the deadly MV Barima tragedy.
In a letter dated July 24, Campbell invoked Standing Order 12, which allows a member to seek the adjournment of the Assembly to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance. He wants the National Assembly to debate and adopt proposed terms of reference for the inquiry into the July 18 sinking. The motion is to be seconded by Opposition MP Juretha Fernandes.
Campbell, who leads A Partnership for National Unity’s (APNU) parliamentary delegation, has noted that the scale of the disaster, which has claimed more than 70 lives, requires an immediate, independent investigation into not only what caused the vessel to sink, but also questions surrounding its seaworthiness, regulatory oversight, passenger records and the search-and-rescue response. “There is an immediate need to establish a fully independent Commission of Inquiry with clear terms of reference to investigate the circumstances, causes and consequences of that incident,” Campbell wrote.
He is specifically seeking leave to move the adjournment at the Fifth Sitting of the First Session of the Thirteenth Parliament on Monday, July 27, with time allocated for debate and possible adoption of the proposed terms of reference.
Under the motion, the CoI would be tasked with establishing the sequence of events surrounding the sinking, including examining passenger and manifest records, the cargo carried, weather and navigation conditions and other operational matters.
It would also investigate the vessel’s maintenance history, seaworthiness, age and structural integrity, as well as crew qualifications and training, licensing, certification and compliance with maritime laws and safety standards.
A key component of the proposed inquiry would be scrutiny of the search-and-rescue operation, including the actions of the Guyana Coast Guard and other agencies and whether established emergency-response protocols were followed.
Campbell’s motion points to public concern over the length of time taken to locate the vessel after it capsized and the time taken for emergency agencies to reach the scene and begin rescue operations. It also raises questions about the MV Barima’s age and history. It states that the vessel was approximately 87 years old and had previously experienced significant mechanical failures, undergone major repairs and been subjected to external engineering assessments.
The motion further raises concerns about discrepancies involving the passenger manifest, stating that official reports indicated a substantial number of rescued passengers were not recorded on the manifest and that the number of people aboard exceeded the figure reflected in official records.
According to the proposed motion, those issues warrant scrutiny of passenger accountability, port management, regulatory compliance and enforcement.
Questions are also raised about why newer vessels, including the MV Ma Lisha and the Kalliopi N, were not deployed on the Port Kaituma route despite the age and condition of the MV Barima.
Campbell is proposing that the CoI examine the regulatory and inspection systems governing maritime transport, including the oversight and enforcement practices of the Maritime Administration Department, port authorities and other relevant public agencies, with a view to identifying any systemic failures.
The proposed terms would further empower the inquiry to investigate allegations of negligence, misconduct, corruption, dereliction of duty or breaches of statutory obligations by any public official, agency, company or individual.
Where warranted, the Commission would be expected to recommend civil, criminal, administrative or disciplinary proceedings.
Campbell also wants the inquiry empowered to summon witnesses under oath, require the production of documents and other evidence, receive expert testimony and produce a comprehensive public report containing its findings, conclusions and recommendations within a specified timeframe.
The Commission would additionally be able to make interim recommendations before completing its final report where immediate measures are considered necessary to protect maritime safety.
In his letter to the Speaker, Campbell pointed out that parliamentary involvement in determining the inquiry’s scope could strengthen public confidence and help ensure its independence.
“An immediate, transparent parliamentary discussion of proposed terms of reference will assist in ensuring public confidence, facilitate timely establishment of an independent commission and allow the Assembly to give direction on scope, independence and resources,” he said.
He has also asked that Parliament consider the timeframe for the inquiry, criteria for selecting its members, including requirements for independence and expertise, and the budgetary arrangements necessary for its work.
The motion acknowledges that the Government has already signalled its intention to establish a Commission of Inquiry but calls for the process to be undertaken “without delay” and for the inquiry to be independent and transparent.
If the Speaker grants leave for the motion to proceed, Campbell is seeking to have the National Assembly debate and adopt the proposed terms of reference at Monday’s sitting.
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