-may run for six months

The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the MV Barima tragedy is expected to begin taking evidence next week Wednesday, with more than 100 potential witnesses identified for processing, while Secretary to the Commission Javed Shadick said yesterday that he could not say whether Public Works Minister Juan Edghill and Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar will be called to testify.

Shadick made the disclosure during a press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, where he spoke about the Commission’s schedule for the coming days and its plans for the formal taking of evidence.

Asked by Kiskadee Watch whether Edghill and Indar would be among the persons summoned before the Commission, Shadick said he was unable at this stage to say whether either minister would be called.

The Commission will hold an opening session this morning, after which, in the afternoon, they will meet with families of survivors and victims from Regions Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Four (Demerara/Mahaica) and Five (Mahaica/Berbice).

Tomorrow, they will tour the Kingston Wharf at about 9 a.m., as well as facilities operated by the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) and the Transport and Harbours Department (THD), while on Friday, they will visit two dry-docking facilities on the East Bank Demerara -Guyana Ports Inc. at Supply and Gopie Investment Inc. at New Hope.

The commissioners will then travel to Mabaruma on Monday to visit the wharf facility and meet with survivors and families from surrounding communities, while they will conduct similar visits and meetings at Port Kaituma the following day. However, no evidence will be taken during any meeting before the first official sitting.

The Commission, Shadick said, has also made arrangements for interpreters to assist persons who do not speak English, and counsel to the Commission are responsible for interviewing persons who may have information relevant to the inquiry.

Shadick said, however, that relatively few people have so far come forward voluntarily, noting that only one person has contacted the secretariat to indicate an intention to give evidence.

The secretariat has divided potential witnesses into several categories, including first responders, officials, survivors and families of people who died in the tragedy. Its initial list contains more than 100 persons who will have to be processed and interviewed.

The Commission will subsequently determine whether witnesses from hinterland and coastal communities will be required to travel to Georgetown or whether some sittings will be held in those communities.

Asked by Kiskadee Watch about the revised timeline, following an earlier indication that the inquiry could be completed within two months, Shadick estimated that the entire process could take approximately six months, although the final duration will depend on how long it takes to complete the evidence-taking process and prepare the report.

He said that all of the resources needed are at the CoI’s disposal as the inquiry is a presidential one. Several commissioners, he said, have expertise in the maritime sector and have already guided the secretariat on the documents and technical information required for the investigation, with the majority of those documents already acquired.

The MV Barima capsized off Guyana’s coast on July 18, resulting in the deaths of 73 people, while 76 others survived. Dozens more are still missing. 

The Commission is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and determine the factors that contributed to the loss of life, as well as make recommendations arising from its findings.

The sittings are scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.