The APNU today called for the removal of Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill and Public Utilities Minister, Deodat Indar, following the sinking of the MV Barima, off the Essequibo coast.

A number of persons have been confirmed dead with dozens more missing. A total of 67 were rescued.

In a statement APNU Member of Parliament, Saiku Andrews said the inconsistent message from Minister Edghill since the day of the tragedy is concerning.

He also reminded that just over a month ago, Minister Deodat Indar warned that failed inspections before sending vessels at sea could put lives at risk. The APNU now wants Minister Indar to produce evidence of the sea worthiness for the MV Barima.

“The PNC/R- APNU, therefore calls on Ministers Indar and Edghill to resign or be removed, pending a truly independent inquiry led by qualified external maritime experts. Every manifest, cargo record, maintenance and dry dock file, inspection certificate, crew testing record and emergency response log must be made public,” Andrews said.

Andrews said the APNU has taken note of attempts to shift the blame to junior officers and those who were in command of the vessel. However, he said responsibility must rest with the Minister who ought to ensure at all times the safety of the passengers on board.

“As rescue and recovery efforts continue the emerging facts point to serious and unacceptable failures. Minister Edghill’s own admission already exposed systemic failure. The government cannot state with certainty how many persons were actually on board because many rescued passengers were not recorded on the original manifest. They also cannot provide and accurate account an accurate account of the cargo or tonnage on board the vessel—lives have been lost and families remain in anguish,” Andrews noted.

Andrews said the issue is not a minor lapse, but a basic maritime oversight and control, which could have been prevented. He said affected families must receive full support, compensation and access to legal representation.

He expressed the party’s sympathy to those who lost family members in the tragedy.

Meanwhile other political parties are also calling for the removal of the Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill.

In a statement,  the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) said the tragedy has once again exposed the dangers faced by residents who rely on river transport.

The WPA said national tragedies require unity as well as openness from the State.

The party also called for a thorough independent investigation into the tragedy, and said the probe should examine whether there were failures in safety procedures, vessel regulation, emergency preparedness or oversight.

Meanwhile, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has called on President Irfaan Ali to remove the Minister of Public Works and the Director General of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD). The party argued that doing so would help ensure an independent and transparent investigation into the incident.

The AFC is also calling for a Commission of Inquiry under the Commission of Inquiry Act. It said the inquiry should examine several areas including the condition of the vessel, weather and sea conditions, the actions of the captain and crew, safety equipment, emergency response, search and rescue efforts, crisis management, regulatory oversight and possible reforms.

It believes the inquiry should be led by an independent person with judicial experience and supported by international maritime and emergency management experts.

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