The A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has registered concerns over the “scapegoating” of junior workers for the MV Barima Tragedy, while “protecting” those higher up the administrative and ministerial chain.
The capsizing of the MV Barima on Saturday, July 18, 2026, has developed into one of the darkest maritime tragedies in Guyana’s history. By July 23, the Government reported that 72 bodies had been recovered.
“While operational personnel must answer for any wrongdoing established by an investigation, the PPP/C Government must not scapegoat junior workers while shielding the ministers who exercised political and administrative authority over the system,” the party said.
It noted that Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill attempted, before an independent investigation had established the facts, to dismiss concerns about overloading and mechanical failure and attribute the disaster to tidal conditions or a “big wave.”
“Yet the subsequent discovery of numerous passengers who were not recorded on the manifest directly contradicted the Government’s initial assurances that the vessel was not overloaded,” APNU pointed out.
