Guyana's Government Reviewing Port Kaituma Wharf Contracts After MV Barima Tragedy

GEORGETOWN, Guyana– Guyana's government is reviewing contracts related to the Port Kaituma wharf project as part of its broader response to the MV Barima tragedy, with legal action being considered if evidence of negligence is uncovered.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, disclosed the review during Tuesday’s edition of his Issues in the News programme, where he outlined the government’s ongoing response to the July 18 incident.

Nandlall said that while a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) and a criminal investigation are continuing, his chambers are examining the contractual arrangements for the wharf that was intended to accommodate the MV Ma Lisha at Port Kaituma.

His comments follow recent remarks by Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, who said the MV Ma Lisha has not yet begun operating on the Port Kaituma route.

Edghill explained that the newly constructed wharf developed structural problems after significant movement of the surrounding soil, forcing sections of the facility to be rebuilt.

According to Nandlall, the contractual review forms part of a wider government response that also includes the police investigation, the Commission of Inquiry, ongoing support from the Ministries of Health, Human Services and Social Security, and the HEART initiative established to provide immediate and long-term assistance to affected families.

“This will make further recommendations for more persons to be investigated,” Nandlall said.

He stressed that the Commission of Inquiry would complement, rather than replace, the work of law enforcement agencies.

“The Commission of Inquiry cannot usurp the functional responsibilities of the state and the state agencies,” he said, adding that while the commission would make findings and recommendations, questions of criminal and civil liability would remain the responsibility of the relevant authorities and the courts.

Nandlall said investigations into all aspects of the tragedy remain ongoing, with state agencies continuing to carry out their respective responsibilities.

On Tuesday, the government said that the search and recovery operations following the MV Barima tragedy, resulting in the deaths of 73 people and more than 30 others missing and presumed dead, have ended.

However, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre remains operational, and the government said “there has been no change in the status of the identification of the recovered bodies”.