Retired acting Chancellor Carl Singh has told the Commission of Inquiry into the MV Barima disaster that he intends to represent Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, citing the minister’s substantial interest in the proceedings and the public criticism and calls for his removal following the tragedy.
Singh’s appearance came as the five-member commission began taking evidence at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal yesterday.
His request for representation comes amid continuing uncertainty over whether Edghill and Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar will be called to testify.
“I am here intending…to represent when necessary, or if necessary, the Honourable Minister of Works Mr. Juan Edghill for the reason that the minister has a substantial interest in the subject matter of this inquiry,” Singh told the commissioners.
He said that even before the commission’s appointment, Edghill and a ministerial colleague had been subjected to “trenchant criticisms” following the sinking and “some rather indecorous calls relating to their wellbeing and their continued service in the Government of Guyana”.
Singh asked to be allowed to attend when necessary. Chairman Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith requested that he submit a letter or email formally identifying whom he intended to represent and the reasons, after which the commission would respond.
Smith indicated that he did not foresee any difficulty with the request.
Edghill has faced sustained demands to resign or be removed since the July 18 sinking of the state-operated ferry, which was travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma.
Those demands have come from opposition representatives, civil society organisations and protesters, who argue that he should accept ministerial responsibility or step aside while the disaster is investigated.
Red Thread called for his immediate resignation in July, saying President Irfaan Ali should remove him if he did not leave office. The organisation also demanded an independent inquiry and full transparency and accountability over the tragedy.
The calls have also been raised during public demonstrations. Three persons were arrested during a July 22 protest calling for Edghill’s removal. The Transport and Harbours Department, which operates the vessel, falls under his ministry.
Amid that pressure, Edghill used a church address to declare that he had been bitten by a snake but would not die.
“I’ve been bitten by a snake, publicly, but I will not die,” he told the congregation at Outreach Ministries International Winners’ Cathedral in August.
He did not identify the “snake” or directly refer to the Barima disaster and resignation demands. Kiskadee Watch reported that his remarks appeared to respond to the sustained criticism. He also said he loved those who had spoken against him and had asked God to ensure that he harboured no hatred.
When Kiskadee Watch recently asked whether Edghill and Indar should be among the key witnesses, Smith said the commissioners had not reached the stage of deciding which ministers, if any, would appear.
“We have not reached that stage yet…We are still drawing up a list of witnesses; still examining the evidence,” he said.
Smith nevertheless said ministers would be called if their evidence was necessary.
“If it becomes clear that we require the evidence of a minister, they will be asked to come before the commission.”
He stressed that the commissioners would follow the evidence and would not assume responsibility before completing their examination.
“We are not going to jump to conclusions; we won’t make a rush judgement. We don’t come with any predetermined conclusion,” he said.
The commission comprises Smith, Dr Andrzej Jasionowski, Nyree Dawn Alfonso, Captain Hamada Fouda and retired Rear Admiral Hayden Pritchard.
Its terms of reference include examining the vessel’s seaworthiness and maintenance, passenger and cargo loading, crew competence, compliance with maritime regulations and the search, rescue and recovery operations. It must also determine whether negligence, misconduct or other failures contributed to the disaster and recommend measures to improve maritime safety.
Seventy-three bodies were recovered following the sinking, while dozens of persons remain unaccounted for.
More than 100 witnesses are expected to give evidence. Smith has said the commission expects to complete its work within approximately six months.
Discussion