By Javone Vickerie | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Salvaging the sunken M.V. Barima from the Essequibo riverbed could cost Guyanese taxpayers between US$8 million and US$10 million, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, has disclosed.
Speaking on his weekly televised program, Issues in the News, the Attorney General vigorously defended the government’s decision to utilize a competitive open tender process rather than directly appointing a salvage contractor, arguing that sole-sourcing would have exposed the administration to allegations of corruption and cover-ups.
Shift in Family Requests Prompted Open Tender Process
Nandlall explained that the administration initially encountered conflicting requests from bereaved relatives following the July 18 disaster off the Essequibo Coast:
- Evolving Demands: According to the Attorney General, several affected families initially requested that the submerged wreck remain undisturbed as a watery grave. However, as public sentiment shifted toward demanding physical recovery, the government acceded to calls to salvage the vessel.
- Refuting Cover-Up Allegations: Nandlall rejected claims by opposition figures that the administration intended to leave the ferry submerged to hide evidence, pointing to the published Request for Expressions of Interest (EOI) issued by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD).
[ SALVAGE COST & PROCUREMENT LOGIC ]
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[ Estimated Financial Commitment ] [ Procurement Defense ]
- Project cost estimated between US$8M and US$10M - Open competitive tender avoids sole-sourcing claims
- Deep mud immersion (13–15m) requires specialized heavy lifting - Guards against accusations of favoritism or cover-ups
- Full physical recovery to assist international COI - Establishes transparent contractor selection
Defending Competitive Bidding Over Direct Procurement
Addressing criticisms regarding the procurement timetable, the Attorney General insisted that statutory procurement laws had to be strictly observed to maintain institutional integrity:
“It will cost between 8 to 10 million US dollars,” Attorney General Anil Nandlall disclosed during his broadcast. “If the government had gone ahead and handpicked a company, the same opposition would have claimed we were picking some family or friend, or trying to stage a cover-up. We chose the open tender process so that everything is transparent.”
Allegations of Conflict of Interest Against Opposition Legal Counsel
Nandlall also targeted opposition-aligned attorneys who are representing the three crew members—Captain Kevin Price, Chief Mate Rondell Roberts, and Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson—currently facing 72 counts of murder in connection with the capsizing.
The Attorney General contended that legal practitioners simultaneously representing the accused crew members while publicly advocating on behalf of the victims’ families presents an inherent political and professional conflict of interest.
(Editor’s Note: This reflects Attorney General Nandlall’s legal and political interpretation; no court of law or legal disciplinary body has made such a finding).
