The Government’s decision to salvage the sunken MV Barima has sparked fresh criticism, with Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed welcoming the move but condemning what he describes as an unacceptable procurement process that will further delay the recovery of victims still believed trapped inside the wreck.

On Saturday, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill announced that the Government, through the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), has issued an Invitation for Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the salvage of the vessel. The notice calls on qualified marine salvage contractors to submit bids before a contractor is selected to undertake the operation.

For Mohamed, however, the process falls far short of the urgency demanded by what has become Guyana’s deadliest maritime disaster in modern history.