M.V. Barima Commission of Inquiry Sworn In at State House With Local Media Notably Absent

By Javone Vickerie | HGP Nightly News|

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — The five-member international Commission of Inquiry (COI) established to investigate the catastrophic sinking of the state-operated M.V. Barima was officially sworn in at State House on Thursday morning. However, the proceedings were marked by controversy as members of the local press corps were notably absent after receiving no invitation to cover the event in person.

The ceremony was instead streamed live via executive social media channels, with links later shared by the Department of Public Information (DPI). The exclusion of independent media from the swearing-in has drawn criticism from press freedom advocates and civil society groups who are calling for complete transparency as the probe gets underway.

Panel Members Sworn In Before Chief Magistrate

Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman administered the official oaths of office under the Commissions of Inquiry Act:

• Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith (Chairman – Belize): Participated and took the oath virtually as he is currently out of the jurisdiction.
• Dr. Andrzej Jasionowski (Poland): Forensic Naval Architect and Marine Engineer.
• Captain Hamada Fouda (Jamaica): Senior Maritime Surveyor and Compliance Auditor.
• Nyree Dawn Alfonso (Trinidad & Tobago): Attorney-at-Law and Admiralty Law Specialist.
• Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Hayden A. Pritchard (Trinidad & Tobago): Maritime Security and Operational Expert.

                       [ COI SWEARING-IN & OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVE ]
                                           │
       ┌───────────────────────────────────┴───────────────────────────────────┐
       ▼                                                                       ▼
 [ Media Access Concerns ]                                           [ Executive Commitments ]
 - Local press not invited to State House ceremony                   - Full financial, technical & logistical support
 - Proceedings broadcast via state social channels                   - Mandate to inspect passenger load, manifests & gear
 - Heightened calls from civil society for open hearings             - Goal: Deliver uncompromised truth to victims' families

President Ali Assures Full State Support and Independence

Delivering the feature address at State House, President Dr. Irfaan Ali praised the qualifications of the panel, asserting that the commission meets the highest international benchmarks for objectivity, independence, and technical rigor.

“That tragedy brought immeasurable grief to families, communities, and to our entire country,” President Dr. Irfaan Ali stated. “Our nation deserves the full, fair, and impartial account of what occurred… I wish to assure you that the Government will provide the Commission with the administrative, technical, financial, and logistical support necessary for the effective discharge of its mandate.”

Mandate and Next Steps

The inquiry has been tasked with scrutinizing every operational facet of the July 18 disaster, including passenger manifest compliance, cargo weight distribution, life-saving equipment readiness, crew competence, and the state’s search and recovery response.

With the commissioners officially sworn in, the panel will finalize its secretariat and outline dates for public hearings, even as legal debates continue over how criminal murder charges against three senior crew members will affect witness testimony.