Last Updated on Saturday, 22 August 2026, 11:57 by Writer
Guyana’s main opposition We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political party Friday launched what it says is a broad-based emergency response initiative called Humanitarian Emergency Relief Operation (HERO), with its first task of supporting surviving relatives and rescued passengers and crew members of the sunken MV Barima ferry.
Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed called for an interim payout of GY$5 million each to all the survivors and relatives of the deceased which would amount to about GY$800 million to “ease them of some financial burden and emotional distress.”
“I know the tricks of this government. I know the tricks. So that is why we want an interim payment of $5 million each for now to all the survivors and the families of the disaster and the families of the missing. Immediately, you can call the governor of Bank of Guyana, Mr (Gobin) Ganga and let him open the safe,” he said.
The 87-year-old Scottish-built ferry sank on July 18 with an estimated 179 passengers and crew, resulting in the confirmed death of 72 persons and the rescue of 76 others.
WIN General Secretary Odessa Primus said her party hoped to attract other political parties, non-governmental organisations, and civil society groups to be part of the initiative. “It should be one that focuses on Guyanese and not necessarily politics or religion or it’s all of us coming together to ensure that all of us are in the best possible situation at the end of the day,” she told the launching ceremony held at the Houston, East Bank Demerara residence of Mr Mohamed.
Ms Primus said immediate measures include the provision of support to children for the new school year that begins in August, counselling by a clinical psychologist, distribution of care packages and food hampers with financial support from the public and the diaspora.
Mr Mohamed said several lawyers have already agreed to provide free legal services to those affected by the ferry disaster and “ensure that this administration doesn’t sideline you or take advantage and trample on your rights.”
Recalling that government representatives had secured agreements with family members of the Mahdia dormitory to accept GY$5 million each, he said that he wanted to ensure there was not a repeat.
“That is what they did. So I don’t want them to do this to you so that is my concern to ensure, because I know a lot of these families,” he added.
Ms Primus said the battery of lawyers include Nigel Hughes, Eusi Anderson, Roysdale Forde, Christopher Ram, Damien Da Silva and Siand Dhurjon.
She said her party was willing to engage more lawyers to represent those affected by the tragedy.
Mr Ram suggested that the government was engaging in a double standard because if a private company, unlike the state-owned Transport and Harbours Department, was involved in the mishap that entity would have been severely pressured by the government. He said monies were available in the Amerindian find and the laws already provide for compensation.
“We have laws on our books that talk about compensation, not charity. Nobody should be begging for money for you. The government owes a duty to pay it,” he said.
He also echoed Mr Mohamed’s call for an interim payout to survivors of the tragedy, but warned them sternly against signing any document.
“If they give you money, take the bloody money. Sign nothing. Do not give up your right. If a paper is put before you, get someone to read that paper,” he said, adding that they should go to the media and the politicians.
Mr Ram recommended that there be unity in designing a framework to provide adequate compensation based on life expectancy, earning capacity, breadwinner, a parent and other factors.
“Make demands that are compelling, that are irresistible, and that the government can’t say no (to)…The government, if they say no, it will be shamelessness,” he said.
Attorney Da Silva echoed similar sentiments, saying he and colleagues “are eager to get this ball rolling.”
Reiterating the need to urgently salvage the MV Barima, located 40 feet deep and 10 miles off the Essequibo Coast, Mr Mohamed urged the government to use some of the GY$6.3 billion being earned daily from the oil sector to make an “immediate payment to ensure that you must continue with your life.”
The Maritime Administration (MARAD) earlier this month received expressions of interest to salvage the vessel in a manner to protect forensic evidence for the Commission of Inquiry into the deadliest maritime disaster to have affected Guyanese.
Mr Mohamed said WIN representatives would be travelling to Port Kaituma and Mabaruma to meet directly with those affected.
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