Leon Murray, who lost six members of his family in the MV Barima tragedy last July 18, says he has rejected a proposed $5 million payment from the government because he was being asked to accept the amount for the loss of all six relatives.
Murray, of Mabaruma, Region One (Barima/Waini) said he was approached by a lawyer about the payment but refused to accept it, saying he is seeking justice for his family.
“I said no, me ain’t deh pon duh cause I lost nuff family. I said no and just walked out. I am not doing that; I am looking for justice,” Murray expressed.
Just last week, the family of MV Barima chief engineer Paul Seepersad, from Berbice, had also been presented with a document and was reportedly asked to sign it in connection with compensation, but the Seepersad family was concerned that signing the document could absolve the Government of responsibility and potentially affect the family’s ability to pursue legal action or additional claims. The family has said it will not sign away its rights.
Lawyers and others involved in assisting affected families have cautioned relatives against signing settlement or release documents without first obtaining independent legal advice.
Meanwhile, families have also expressed concerns that the government’s promised long-term assistance has not reached them consistently. Diane Cort, whose husband Neil Cort remains missing, said even a social worker who had previously visited her home had not returned.
These concerns have also drawn comparisons with the 2023 Mahdia Secondary School dormitory fire, where families of children who died have subsequently challenged settlement arrangements in court.
Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed made that comparison while speaking about Murray’s experience in a video on his Facebook page yesterday.
He alleged that Indigenous families affected by the Mahdia tragedy were pressured into signing documents accepting $5 million for each child who died. Those claims are however disputed by the State, which has maintained in the Mahdia litigation that the families were not compelled to accept the agreements.
Mohamed described the reported offer to Murray as “cruel” and questioned how $5 million could be offered for the loss of six members of one family.
He also criticised the continued delay in salvaging the vessel.
The MV Barima sank off Guyana’s north-western coast while travelling from Georgetown to Port Kaituma. Seventy-three people have been confirmed dead, while 76 survived. Around 30 people remained unaccounted for after the active search and recovery operation ended.
The tragedy has generated continuing demands from families for answers, compensation, long-term assistance and the recovery of the vessel.
The Government has established a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the circumstances surrounding the sinking, including the causes of the disaster, possible failures, compliance with maritime safety requirements and issues of accountability. The delayed proceedings of the COI have also drawn criticism from family members and the public.
The wreck remains submerged as the Government pursues a process to secure a contractor to salvage it. Relatives of missing passengers have repeatedly called for the vessel to be brought up although no updates on the salvaging have been forthcoming from the government.
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