Opposition Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul, has criticized the government’s move to go out to tender to salvage the MV-Barima, saying that the move is unacceptable and lacks urgency.

The government has invited Expressions of Interest (EOI) from marine salvage contractors for the salvage of the MV Barima. The advertisement requires submissions to be made no later than Friday, 14th August 2026.

In a statement, Mr. Mahipaul said the government is not treating the matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves, noting that the tender process is expected to be drawn out/

“Any reasonable person understands what follows after that deadline are evaluation of submissions to establish responsiveness, shortlisting, evaluation of bids, contract award, execution of the agreement, mobilization of equipment and personnel, and the issuance of a commencement order. This means that the actual salvage operation is unlikely to begin until late August or even early September. That timeline is simply unacceptable. More than one hundred Guyanese lost their lives in one of the greatest maritime tragedies in our nation’s history. Families continue to grieve. Survivors continue to relive the trauma. Yet the Government appears content to allow the vessel to remain submerged beneath salt water for several more weeks while it proceeds through a lengthy procurement process.

This demonstrates a shocking lack of urgency and compassion,” Mahipaul said.

He explained that every day that the vessel remains underwater increases the possibility that critical evidence may deteriorate or become compromised. He said the Commission of Inquiry, law enforcement authorities, marine investigators and forensic experts deserve access to the vessel in the earliest possible time, not after unnecessary administrative delays.

“The Government cannot claim that it lacks legal mechanisms to act swiftly. Guyana’s procurement framework provides for emergency procurement under exceptional circumstances. These provisions exist precisely because there are occasions where the public interest demands immediate action instead of competitive procurement. If there was ever a case that justified emergency procurement, surely the worst maritime disaster in modern Guyanese history is one,” Mahipaul said.

Mahipaul noted that the government could have moved with haste to have the vessel salvaged noting that the administration has repeatedly relied on sole sourcing and emergency procurement for projects and contracts.

“The acquisition of the MV Hercules through sole sourcing and numerous infrastructure projects undertaken without open competitive bidding demonstrate that the Government has never hesitated to invoke emergency procurement when it suited its purposes.Why then is the greatest maritime tragedy in Guyana’s history not considered sufficiently urgent? This inconsistency raises legitimate and unavoidable questions,” Mahipaul stated.

He said the Government should be doing everything possible to preserve evidence, not allowing time to lapse which may compromise evidence.

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