CoI invites survivors, families, witnesses to participate in inquiry

The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the capsizing and sinking of the MV Barima has invited survivors, relatives of victims, witnesses and other persons with relevant information to apply for standing in the proceedings.

The Commission issued a public notice on Tuesday advising persons wishing to participate in the Inquiry to contact its Secretary, Javed Shaddick, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
Applications will be considered by the Commission, which may grant standing to persons who meet specified criteria.

According to the notice, standing may be granted where an applicant played, or may have played, a direct and significant role in matters being investigated, or possesses relevant evidence or information.

The Commission will also consider applications from persons with a substantial, personal or direct interest in the subject matter, including witnesses, survivors and family members of victims.
Persons who may be subject to significant criticism during the proceedings or in the Commission’s final report may also qualify for standing.

Additionally, the Commission may grant standing where it determines that a person’s participation would assist it in fulfilling its terms of reference. Persons wishing to apply have been asked to contact Shaddick at presidentialcommissiongy@gmail.com or 592-674-7473.

The Commission’s invitation comes as preparations continue for the commencement of public hearings into the July 18 sinking of the MV Barima.

Guyana Times on September 3 reported that the Commission said it was working to commence the Inquiry later this month.
The five-member Commission, appointed on July 30, is chaired by Belizean Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith and includes Captain Hamada Fouda of Jamaica, Trinidadian Attorney-at-Law Nyree Dawn Alfonso, Dr Andrzej Jasionowski of Poland and Rear Admiral (Retired) Hayden Pritchard of Trinidad and Tobago.

Since their appointment, the Commissioners have conducted a preliminary in-person survey of the accident site, identified the ACCC as the venue for public hearings and established a Secretariat to provide administrative, research and logistical support. The Commission has also been obtaining information from public institutions, including the Maritime Administration (MARAD), Transport and Harbours Department (THD) and Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Coast Guard.
It has begun a preliminary analysis of documents concerning the vessel’s seaworthiness, the conditions under which it sailed and crew operations during the voyage

The Commission has also been compiling a list of potential witnesses and preparing a preliminary schedule for interviews.
Rules of Procedure are being finalised to govern the conduct of the Inquiry, with the Commission stating that the rules are intended to ensure that the proceedings are open, transparent, orderly, fair and effective.
The MV Barima left Port Georgetown on July 18 with about 179 persons onboard, bound for Port Kaituma, Region One, when it capsized and sank off the Essequibo Coast.
Seventy-six persons survived, while 73 deaths have been confirmed and 30 people remain unaccounted for, according to information provided following the tragedy.
Three crew members, including the captain, have been charged and remanded on 72 counts of murder.
President Dr Irfaan Ali subsequently appointed the Commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and submit its findings, observations and recommendations to the Government.
Meanwhile, the Government has been providing support to survivors and affected families through the Hope, Empathy, Aid, Resilience and Trust (HEART) initiative.
Efforts are also underway to salvage the sunken vessel, with the Government having received several Expressions of Interest for the operation.