The National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTA) today opened bids submitted by companies interested in salvaging the MV Barima, a source close to the process told News Source.

Salvage firms were invited to submit Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to retrieve the vessel, which sank off the Essequibo Coast on July 18, 2026, claiming the lives of more than 100 people.

As of press time, the Procurement and Tender Administration had not published the minutes of today’s tender opening. The information, however, is expected to be published in the coming days.

In a statement today, Opposition Member of Parliament, Ganesh Mahipaul, criticised the Government over what he described as “a lack of urgency and transparency” surrounding the salvage process.

He noted that today marked 25 days since the August 14 deadline for the submission of Expressions of Interest. According to Mahipaul, the Government’s silence on the issue is concerning.

“This is wickedness. This is shameless behaviour. This is an insult to the intelligence and dignity of the Guyanese people. Evil to say the least is how this Government is choosing to treat the families of more than 100 people who lost their lives,” MP Mahipaul said.

The APNU Member of Parliament said the capsizing and sinking of the MV Barima with more than 179 people on board, represents the largest tragedy in modern Guyana. He argued that Guyanese should be kept informed at every stage of the process.

“More than 100 lives were lost. Families were shattered. Children lost parents. Parents lost children. Husbands and wives lost each other. Yet, instead of treating the recovery of the MV Barima as an urgent national priority, the PPP Government has allowed 25 days to pass without the families knowing about the salvager. What kind of Government does this? What kind of leadership is this? Where is the urgency? Where is the transparency? Where is the respect for the dead and their grieving families? The Government owes Guyanese a proper explanation for this disgraceful delay,” MP Mahipaul said.

Mahipaul also questioned whether the delay in releasing information on the salvage process is part of a delaying tactic.

“There have already been serious questions about the vessel, including questions about its condition and seaworthiness. Those questions must be answered by evidence. But if evidence is allowed to deteriorate while the Government drags its feet, then the public has every right to question why. The PPP Government cannot claim to want the truth while behaving as though recovering the most important piece of evidence in this tragedy is an inconvenience. This is beyond incompetence. It is political wickedness. It is gross disrespect. It is shameless. And it is an insult to every Guyanese who wants answers,” MP Mahipaul said.

He said those who died in the tragedy deserve dignity, while their families deserve closure.

Related posts:

Mahipaul presses for Government to release information on salvaging of MV Barima Bids for salvaging of MV Barima to be processed and evaluated -PM Phillips Mahipaul says Government’s decision to seek tenders for salvaging of MV Barima lacks urgency Government launches tender for salvaging of MV Barima