By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Mike Singh, President of the Transparency Institute of Guyana Inc. (TIGI), has raised strong concerns over the arrest and charging of three senior crew members with 72 counts of murder following the catastrophic July 18 M.V. Barima disaster.
Speaking with Nightly News, Singh argued that instituting capital charges against operational crew before the promised Commission of Inquiry (COI) has heard evidence effectively serves to silence key witnesses and undermines the integrity of the state’s investigative process.
Capital Charges Described as Arbitrary and Premature
Echoing concerns previously raised by prominent attorney Nigel Hughes, Singh emphasized that standard investigative protocol and basic logic dictate that the Commission of Inquiry should first hear testimony from frontline ranks before any criminal charges are assigned.
[ TIGI CRITIQUE OF STATE COI PROCEDURES ]
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[ Premature Prosecution Concerns ] [ Operational & Evidence Demands ]
- Charging lower ranks silences key witnesses - Vessel salvage required to gather primary physical evidence
- Invoking right against self-incrimination deprives COI of truth - Captain's warnings on unseaworthy gear must be tested
- Bypasses fact-finding sequence prior to criminal indictments - Terms of reference must involve civil society & victims
“This arbitrary arrest, slapping of murder charges upon the lower ranks, the operational crew for the Barima—this itself defeats the whole purpose of any such Commission of Inquiry,” TIGI President Mike Singh stated. “Based on the evidence submitted and the findings of the Commission of Inquiry, only then could you move towards instituting any types of charges.”
Singh pointed to public statements made by the vessel’s captain prior to his remand, in which the captain maintained his innocence while highlighting critical pre-voyage deficiencies, including expired lifeboats, a lack of insurance coverage, and non-functioning radar equipment.
Refusal to Salvage Vessel Jeopardizes Inquiry Credibility
The TIGI President also strongly criticized the administration’s reluctance to salvage the submerged M.V. Barima from the Essequibo seabed. Singh argued that attempting to conduct an inquiry without inspecting the physical hull, cargo stowage, and mechanical systems leaves the COI relying heavily on secondary accounts rather than tangible evidence.
“Why is the government so intransigent? Why is it so stubborn in yielding to the demands of the relatives who are saying even if it’s just bones, they want the vessel to be salvaged, brought to the surface?” Singh asked. “This will give any Commission of Inquiry the full facts. You can’t prosecute a case based on hearsay.”
Calls for Bipartisan Terms of Reference and Commissioner Scrutiny
Singh called on President Dr. Irfaan Ali to reconsider the current framework of the five-member COI by actively involving civil society organizations, religious bodies, and victims’ families in shaping its Terms of Reference. Furthermore, he questioned the neutrality of several appointees on the panel, warning that failing to ensure complete independence and public consultation risks the entire inquiry being dismissed by the Guyanese public.
