Former Minister of Public Telecommunications Cathy Hughes has joined growing calls for the resignation of Public Works Minister Juan Edghill, arguing that the sinking of the MV Barima exposed deep-rooted failures in Guyana’s maritime transportation system that can no longer be ignored.

Speaking from the protest line on Tuesday, Hughes said the tragedy was not simply the result of human error but reflected a culture of poor oversight, weak enforcement and unsafe operational practices that had been allowed to persist for years.

“Edghill needs to go because he is the head of this ministry,” Hughes declared, contending that the minister had ample opportunity to reform the system but failed to do so. She argued that those in charge have a responsibility to change practices that continue to endanger lives.