President Ali Defends MV Barima Salvage Review as Questions Over Disaster Persist

Summary

Updated Sep 30, 2026

The MV Barima sank off the Essequibo Coast on July 18, with 73 confirmed deaths and dozens of people missing.Kaieteur News
The government is re-evaluating salvage bids and says recovery must preserve evidence for a Commission of Inquiry.Kaieteur News
Records reported by Village Voice suggest warnings about vessel problems before a planned G$124.5 million rehabilitation process.Village Voice +1
It remains unclear why the vessel was not removed from service earlier and what authorities knew about its condition.Village Voice +1

Automatically summarised from the coverage below.

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Coverage

Sep 29, 2026

“I Don’t Care Whether Ali Sleeps”: Ferguson Demands Action for Barima Victims

Former minister Annette Ferguson dismissed President Irfaan Ali’s comments about “sleepless nights” over the MV Barima disaster, saying families need the wreck raised and remains recovered, not sympathy. Fresh procurement and maintenance records suggest the vessel had known problems and was already slated for G$124.5 million rehabilitation before it sank, deepening questions about what authorities knew.

Sep 28, 2026

MV Barima: Ali’s Safety Pledge Collides With Govt’s Own Paper Trail

After the MV Barima sank on July 18, 2026, questions have deepened over why the government was still moving ahead with a G$124.5 million rehabilitation process for the vessel and had not taken it out of service earlier. Leaked maintenance records reportedly showed repeated safety and mechanical warnings, while a Commission of Inquiry will examine possible failures.

Sep 28, 2026

MV Barima tragedy still weighs heavily – Pres. Ali

President Irfaan Ali said the MV Barima tragedy still leaves him with sleepless nights, but his government is using the loss to push stronger safety standards, infrastructure and accountability. He said leaders must support grieving families long term and continue helping them as part of the national community, while resisting political exploitation of the disaster.

Sep 26, 2026

Pres. Ali defends MV Barima salvage process, says bids being re-evaluated

President Irfaan Ali said bids to salvage the MV Barima are still being re-evaluated before a contractor is selected, months after the vessel sank on July 18 off the Essequibo Coast with 73 confirmed dead and dozens missing. He said the government is not avoiding recovery or investigation, and the salvage must preserve evidence for the Commission of Inquiry.