By Travis Chase HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Ten days following the formal deadline for Expressions of Interest (EoI) to salvage the sunken M.V. Barima, Opposition Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul is demanding that the Government of Guyana break its silence and provide a comprehensive public status report to grieving families and the nation.
The vessel capsized and sank on July 18, 2026, resulting in the deaths of more than 100 passengers and crew members in one of the worst maritime disasters in the nation’s history.
Demands for Transparency on Procurement and Salvage Timelines
In a strongly worded public statement, Mahipaul labeled the state’s continued silence as unacceptable, emphasizing that recovering the vessel is critical for forensic investigation, establishing institutional accountability, and providing closure to bereaved relatives.
Mahipaul called on the Ministry of Public Works and the maritime administration to disclose key details regarding the procurement and operational phases.
- Tender Submissions: The total number of local and international marine salvage companies that submitted Expressions of Interest.
- Evaluation & Shortlisting: How many bidding entities satisfied the technical evaluation criteria and were shortlisted.
- Contract Award & Mobilization: Whether a salvage operator has been selected, the terms of the salvage award, and the confirmed mobilization timeline to commence underwater recovery operations.
“Behind every victim is a family member or loved one mourning, waiting for answers and hoping for closure,” Mahipaul stated. “Yet, ten days after companies were invited to express interest in salvaging the vessel, the Government remains silent. What is going on? The families deserve answers. The nation deserves answers.”
Questions Over Executive Follow-Through
The Opposition MP questioned whether initial high-profile executive interventions were genuine or merely temporary public relations efforts:
- Executive Follow-Through: Mahipaul questioned whether the presence of President Dr. Irfaan Ali in Charity, Essequibo, ministerial attendance at mass funerals, and assurances given by Prime Minister Mark Phillips have translated into concrete recovery operations.
- Preserving Disaster Scrutiny: He warned that the administration must not allow the tragedy to fade from public consciousness, asserting that recovering the sunken hull is essential to uncovering mechanical failures, cargo overloads, or structural breaches.
Ongoing Legal and Forensic Proceedings
The salvage operation remains a central pillar for ongoing judicial and investigative processes.
Currently, three operational crew members face 72 counts of murder before the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court in connection with the disaster, while a formal presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) prepares to review maritime safety practices, vessel seaworthiness, and Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) operational oversight.
