(Kaieteur News) – With at least 83 persons still missing and 27 bodies recovered as of Monday afternoon, calls have intensified for Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill to be removed from office following what is being described as Guyana’s deadliest maritime disaster.

The calls come on the heels of the government’s decision on Monday morning to send the entire management team responsible for the loading, dispatch and overall oversight of the MV Barima on leave pending an investigation. Pointing to systemic failures and lapses in leadership, political stakeholders argue that accountability should not end with those directly responsible for the vessel but should also extend to ministers with oversight responsibility for the relevant agencies.

Calls have also been made for the removal of Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation Deodat Indar, as well as Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) Director General Stephen Thomas.