(Kaieteur News) – Former Minister of Public Infrastructure and Alliance for Change (AFC) Leader David Patterson has accused the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) government of removing critical oversight mechanisms that once helped curb illegal ferry practices, leaving the MV Barima without adequate safeguards ahead of the tragedy that has now claimed at least 72 lives.

Speaking at a joint opposition press conference on Wednesday, Patterson said the government dismantled inspection systems that had been in place under the previous APNU+AFC administration, without introducing a replacement capable of providing equivalent oversight. As of Thursday, 72 bodies had been recovered and approximately 76 people rescued, with dozens still unaccounted for.

Patterson said the issue of passengers travelling without official tickets, whether through collusion with crew or otherwise is not new. Between 2015 and 2020, he said, independent inspectors were hired directly by the Ministry of Public Infrastructure to verify that passengers, cargo, fuel and related operational matters were properly documented.