The Amerindian Peoples Association (APA) has called for an independent and transparent review of the sinking of the MV Barima, while also urging a wider examination of Guyana’s river and sea transportation systems and the removal of Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill.
In a statement yesterday, the APA extended condolences to the families of those who died in the tragedy and expressed sympathy for survivors and relatives still awaiting news of missing loved ones.
The organisation also thanked those involved in the ongoing search and rescue effort and said it was prepared to assist affected families in whatever way it could.
Referring to remarks made by Edghill on Sunday night, the APA said that for years passengers travelling on the North West ferry service had complained about the poor condition of the vessels, the conduct of some crew members and the unsafe conditions under which they travelled.
“Based on those reports, Saturday’s tragedy was one waiting to happen,” the organisation said.
The APA noted that while the North West District is home to people of all ethnicities, the majority of residents are Indigenous and rely heavily on the ferry service because it is the most affordable means of travelling between the region and Georgetown for medical care, business, education and other purposes.
It argued that the tragedy highlighted the risks and inequities faced by Indigenous and other hinterland residents and stressed that the state has a responsibility to provide safe, reliable and affordable transportation.
The organisation said Edghill’s disclosure that some rescued passengers were not reflected on the vessel’s manifest exposed deficiencies in the management and accountability of ferry operations.
It questioned who was responsible for overseeing the operations of the vessels, ensuring passenger limits were observed and maintaining ageing vessels operating along the North West route.
According to the APA, the normalisation of what the minister described as “mischief” had contributed to systemic failures that culminated in the disaster.
The association called for a comprehensive review of the sinking that extends beyond identifying its immediate cause and examines broader structural shortcomings, including vessel safety standards, maintenance programmes, licensing and inspection procedures, crew training and certification, passenger capacity enforcement, emergency preparedness, weather monitoring, search-and-rescue capability, communication systems and regulatory oversight.
It also urged that Indigenous and riverain communities be meaningfully consulted during the review, arguing that those who rely on the waterways daily are best placed to identify the shortcomings of the existing system and contribute to solutions.
The APA said the loss of life aboard the MV Barima should serve as a turning point for reforms to Guyana’s maritime safety framework, warning against a pattern of temporary expressions of sympathy without meaningful corrective action.
It called on the government to make sustained investments in safe and modern river and sea transportation infrastructure, strengthen enforcement of maritime regulations, conduct routine inspections of passenger vessels, improve emergency response systems, ensure mandatory safety equipment is available and regularly inspected, and increase accountability among the agencies responsible for public safety.
The organisation also urged that the ongoing investigation be conducted “with swiftness, complete transparency, and integrity” and recommended that independent experts be engaged to investigate the disaster.
Additionally, the APA called for the removal of Edghill, saying the Transport and Harbours Department falls under his ministerial responsibility and that the tragedy occurred during his tenure.
The association said the families of those who died, survivors and the wider public deserved clear answers about what occurred, whether established safety protocols had been followed and what measures would be implemented to prevent a recurrence.
It maintained that safe transportation is “not a privilege” but a fundamental right that should be available to every citizen regardless of whether they travel by road, air or water.
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