The Chairman and Commissioners of the Commission of Inquiry into the marine casualty involving the MV Barima reconvened on Tuesday at the Lula Room, Authur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.
The commission in a release stated that it has directed that sittings of the Commission will be held to accommodate survivors, and the family members of those persons who perished or who remain missing.
Monday, November 16, 2026, is allocated for persons from Regions Three and Four to attend and give evidence. Then on Tuesday, November 17, 2026 persons from Regions Five and Six will attend and give evidence while on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, person from Mabaruma and its satellite villages will attend and give evidence.
In addition, on Thursday, November 19, 2026, is allocated for person from Port Kaituma and its satellite villages to attend and give evidence.
The Chairman and Commissioners have caused to be promulgated the following amendment to the Commission’s Rules and Procedures to accommodate the taking of testimony from the aforesaid persons.
The commission stated that rules 43-46 remain fully in force unless otherwise directed by the Commissioners.
With respect to 43a where a witness has not provided a signed witness statement, it states that the witness after being sworn in or having affirmed, Counsel for the witness will be permitted to elicit the witness’ viva voce evidence in-chief in accordance with the customary rules governing the examination of one’s own witness in court proceedings, unless otherwise directed by the Commissioners.
In addition, if the witness has not retained Counsel, the Commissioners or the Commission Counsel may elicit the witness’ viva voce evidence-in-chief. Further, the witness may then be cross-examined, questioned or re-examined, as the case may be, by the Commissioners, Commission Counsel or such Counsel/parties who have been granted standing as determined to be appropriate by the Commissioners based on the extent of their interest.
Finally, if the witness may also be cross-examined by any person not granted standing as determined by the Commissioners upon an application. Travel arrangements and other accommodations for survivors and the families of those lost or who remain missing will be coordinated by the Secretariat.
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