A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament Ganesh Mahipaul has sharply criticised the Government’s decision to use a public procurement process to recover the sunken MV Barima, arguing that the approach will unnecessarily delay the salvage operation, jeopardise crucial forensic evidence and prolong the anguish of families still grieving Guyana’s worst maritime disaster.

In a statement on Sunday, Mahipaul described the Maritime Administration Department’s (MARAD) decision to invite Expressions of Interest (EOI) from marine salvage contractors as “cruel, insensitive and entirely unacceptable,” contending that the Government is placing bureaucracy ahead of justice.

MARAD has set August 14, 2026 as the deadline for submissions from interested contractors. However, Mahipaul noted that the procurement process will then require the evaluation of bids, shortlisting of contractors, contract negotiations, mobilisation of specialised equipment and personnel, and the issuance of a commencement order before salvage work can begin.