Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, has assured that the Commission of Inquiry (COI), which was established to probe the MV Barima ferry tragedy will begin public hearings soon.

Speaking during his weekly “Issues in the News” programme on Tuesday night, Mr. Nandlall said the Commission has already commenced its work, but will move into the next stage soon.

The Commission of Inquiry has been in place for over a month, with very little information being shared on its work so far.

Concerns have been raised about the apparent slothful pace that the COI has been moving to get off the ground, with Forward Guyana Leader, Amanza Walton, complaining that it was unacceptable for the COI not move faster, six weeks after its establishment.

But Mr. Nandlall said, the work and business of the Commission are in the hands of the Commissioners.

“The business of that Commission is in the hands of those Commissioners. They have begun to work and they will begin to conduct their hearings shortly,” the Attorney General said.

While that is ongoing, Mr. Nandlall said the government is setting up the legal framework to offer long and short-term financial assistance for persons affected.

“The government has gone great lengths to ensuring that there is a fair and transparent legal mechanisms in place to offer financial and other assistance. The government has appointed a team of lawyers to demonstrate its insulation from the events and the government has also given those lawyers the authority to devise the requite legal framework through which this assistance will be offered,” the AG said.

He said the interim financial assistance being offered is not compensation, nor is it government admitting guilt, but its is a way to assistance those involved and the families affected.

“This is not compensation, it is not intended to be compensation, and first of all government is not admitting liability here, the government is offering assistance. Naturally, every person who will be engaged will have the right to retain or instruct lawyers of their choice if they wish. This initiate of the government includes long term and short-term support, for the affected persons” Mr. Nandlall said.

The Attorney General said while those who will be engaged are free to have legal representation, he was disappointed by utterances of some lawyers who are lobbying persons not to engage the government regarding financial assistance.

Related posts:

National body established to aid in healing after MV Barima tragedy; Financial aid for families of victims and survivors being examined Families to get greater access to finances of deceased persons from financial institutions Government should be complimented for financial assistance to families of Mahdia fire victims -AG Nandlall Govt. open to considering compensation for flood affected citizens