Georgetown, Guyana — Opposition Member of Parliament Dr. Terrence Campbell has formally asked Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir for permission to suspend the Assembly’s normal business on Monday to facilitate an urgent debate on the proposed terms of reference for an independent Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the MV Barima.

In a letter dated July 24, 2026, Campbell invoked Standing Order 12, which allows an MP to seek the adjournment of the Assembly to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance.

“The sinking of the MV Barima on 18 July 2026 was the worst maritime disaster in Guyana’s recent history, with a death toll that has exceeded seventy persons,” Campbell stated. He said the scale of the tragedy created an immediate need for a fully independent inquiry into the circumstances, causes and consequences of the disaster.