Pres. Ali dodges media
Jul 31, 2026
…as he swears in COI panel
…held no press conference on ferry disaster
(Kaieteur News) – Since the MV Barima capsised on July 18 while en route to Port Kaituma, leaving 73 people confirmed dead and at least 30 others still missing at sea, President Irfaan Ali has not faced the local media.
Following his return to the country after the tragedy, President Ali has relied on video statements to address the nation rather than press briefings. Apart from those broadcasts, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has taken the lead in publicly addressing the disaster on behalf of the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration, hosting a series of press briefings.
President Irfaan Ali (center) and the four COI members that were sworn-in at State House on Thursday.
On Thursday, the five-member Commission of Inquiry (COI) established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the MV Barima tragedy was sworn in at State House. It should be noted that no invitation was extended to the local media to cover the ceremony.
The proceedings were instead streamed on President Ali’s Facebook page, and a link to the broadcast was subsequently shared with members of the media by Director of Public Information Edward Layne.
The commissioners took their oaths before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman. Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith of Belize, who will chair the inquiry, was sworn in virtually as he is currently out of the jurisdiction. The remaining commissioners: Captain Hamada Fouda of Jamaica, Nyree Dawn Alfonso of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. Andrzej Jasionowski of Poland, and Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Hayden A. Pritchard of Trinidad and Tobago were sworn in during the ceremony.
Dr. Andrzej Jasionowski of Poland, Naval Architect and Marine Engineer
Nyree Dawn Alfonso of Trinidad and Tobago, Attorney at Law with expertise in Admiralty and Maritime Law
Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Hayden A. Pritchard of Trinidad and Tobago
Captain Hamada Fouda, Senior Maritime Surveyor and Compliance Auditor with the Maritime Authority of Jamaica
Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith of Belize to serve as Chair of the COI
Since the tragedy, questions have been raised about the 87-year-old vessel’s maintenance, seaworthiness, regulatory oversight, the manifest and whether the vessel was overloaded with passengers and cargo.
The commission has been mandated to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disaster and make findings, observations and recommendations before submitting a written report to President Irfaan Ali. While government mulls leaving the MV Barima on the seabed, the COI members are tasked with inspecting the condition and maintenance history of the vessel, including its seaworthiness, analysing the influence of weather, sea conditions, tides, currents, navigation, communications, and other environmental or operational factors that may have contributed to the incident.
In his address, President Ali underscored the qualifications of the commissioners, highlighting that the panel comprises experts in law, marine engineering, maritime operations, maritime regulation and disaster investigation.
“Their experience, competence and integrity will enhance the professionalism, depth and credibility of this inquiry,” he said, adding that the members meet the highest benchmarks of impartiality and objectivity.
President Ali assured the commissioners that the government would provide all necessary administrative, technical, financial and logistical support to facilitate a thorough and independent investigation.
Moreover, he stressed that the country continues to grieve the devastating loss of life while seeking answers.
“That tragedy brought immeasurable grief to families, communities and to our entire country. Even as we continue to mourn those who lost their lives and stand in solidarity with the survivors and their loved ones, we have an equal solemn duty to establish the truth,” President Ali said.
He further outlined that the inquiry is intended to provide a comprehensive account of the disaster. President Ali added, “Our nation deserves a full, fair and impartial account of what occurred, why it occurred and what must be done to ensure that such a tragedy is never repeated.”
Moreover, the head-of-state noted that the commission has been given a broad mandate to examine every relevant aspect of the tragedy. He added that the findings are eagerly anticipated by the nation and the families of the victims. “The nation awaits such report. The families who have suffered unimaginable loss await these answers. Future generations deserve the assurance that every lesson that can be learned from this tragedy will indeed be learned,” President Ali said.
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