By Javone Vickerie | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — President Dr. Irfaan Ali has sidestepped questions regarding whether members of the M.V. Barima management team remain on the government payroll, as well as mounting public and political calls for the resignation of his ministers responsible for the maritime and public works sectors.
Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, the Head of State declined to give definitive answers on administrative sanctions or ministerial accountability, stating that any future executive decisions will be guided strictly by the findings and recommendations of the official Commission of Inquiry (CoI).
Sidestepping Ministerial Resignations and Management Payroll Status
The President faced questions regarding the ongoing employment status of Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) managers and renewed demands from the parliamentary opposition for the resignations of Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill and Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar.
President Ali declined to clarify whether the operational managers who oversaw the vessel’s loading and dispatch remain suspended on administrative leave, continue to draw state salaries, or have returned to active duties. He also declined to say whether either minister should step down or proceed on leave:
“I am not going to add to the noise or be part of any speculation,” President Irfaan Ali stated. “I believe that if we honestly and objectively want the truth, the Commission of Inquiry provides that opportunity to determine what happened, whether institutional failures occurred, and who should be held accountable.”
Separate Fleet Inspection Task Force Deployed
To address immediate maritime safety concerns across the country’s riverine networks while the Commission conducts its hearings, President Ali highlighted that the government has mobilized a dedicated technical inspection team:
- Auditing State Vessels: The inspection team is tasked with conducting physical audits across all state-operated passenger and cargo vessels.
- Rectifying Safety Gaps: The team has been mandated to identify operational defects, verify safety gear, and implement urgent mechanical repairs before the CoI concludes its work.
“I will add nothing more to that at this stage,” President Ali stated regarding administrative actions. “The Commission of Inquiry will do its work, and that is what I will base my action on.”
Background of Administrative Actions
Following the capsizing of the M.V. Barima, the government initially announced that the administrative and management personnel responsible for the vessel’s loading, safety certification, and dispatch had been sent off duty to preserve the integrity of the police and maritime inquiries.
With three operational crew members currently facing murder charges before the courts and public scrutiny intensifying over systemic oversight failures, the President maintained that the executive will await the formal judicial inquiry before taking any further administrative or political action.
