– insists he will speak “at the right time”
(Kaieteur News) – Minister responsible for the Transport and Harbours Department, Juan Edghill, on Friday repeatedly declined to say whether he has submitted evidence to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the MV Barima incident, insisting that he will address the matter “at the right time.”
Minister Juan Edghill
The exchange occurred after the submission of the AG report on Friday at Parliament buildings, where the minister parried direct questions regarding his ministerial accountability and his involvement in public briefings following the maritime incident. When asked by a reporter if he had been requested to make submissions to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry in his capacity as the minister overseeing the sector, Edghill initially feigned uncertainty before reiterating a standard defense. “I said before and I will say it again: any matters to do with the MV Barima, I will speak at the appropriate time,” the Minister said.
Reminded that the CoI has been open and accepting submissions for weeks, the minister sought to distance himself from the body’s proceedings, stating plainly, “I am not a part of the Commission of Inquiry.”
The line of questioning also highlighted confusion over jurisdictional oversight. The minister asserted that while the vessel itself falls under the fleet of the Transport and Harbours Department, for which he holds portfolio responsibility, aspects related to “MV Barima” fall under the Ministry of Public Utilities. When challenged on why he previously spearheaded public press conferences on the matter rather than his counterpart, Minister Indar, the minister dismissed the query, claiming the media was conflating distinct operational responsibilities.
“We are confusing two things,” the Minister responded. “The MV Barima is a member of the fleet that is controlled by the Transport and Harbours Department, of which I have ministerial responsibility…”
Pressure on the government has mounted in the two months since the incident, with affected families holding weekly demonstrations demanding the Minister’s immediate resignation. Asked directly how he responds to these weekly calls, the Minister maintained his stance.
“I will speak to that at the appointed time,” he stated. Pushed on whether a two-month delay was unreasonable for the public and grieving families awaiting answers, the Minister repeated his refrain four times in succession “At the right time I will speak on the matter.”
Source: Kaieteur News
