President assures there will be a time for accountability in MV Barima ferry tragedy

What this source establishes

News Source Guyana reports President Ali's 20-21 July televised statement following his visits to Port Kaituma and Mabaruma and his vigil with families in Essequibo. It carries his commitment to 'a full, thorough and independent investigation', which the Commission of Inquiry announced on 25 July is presented as fulfilling, and his request that the tragedy not be politicised. The Kaieteur News editorial of 26 July tests Ali's credibility against this statement. The toll at the time was 27 confirmed dead with more than 80 missing.

Figures cited in this source

27 confirmed dead; more than 80 still missing

Key claims

• President Irfaan Ali spent Monday meeting survivors, families of the deceased and relatives of the missing, visiting Port Kaituma and Mabaruma; he kept watch with family members in Essequibo as bodies were brought in.
• With 27 persons confirmed dead, more than 80 others were still missing.
• Ali said in a televised statement it was a 'deeply emotional experience'.
• Ali said: 'Our priority remains to protect every life that still can be saved. To support those who have endured unimaginable trauma and loss. To comfort grieving families and to account for every person who remains unaccounted for.'
• Ali commended the Prime Minister, Cabinet, Joint Services, emergency responders, regional officials, volunteers, fishermen, community members, religious leaders, members of parliament, the private sector, civil society and international partners.
• Ali said: 'I also assure the nation that there will be a full, thorough and independent investigation into this tragedy... We will pursue the truth with transparency, impartiality, and accountability.'
• Ali said now is not the time for speculation or the politicization of a national tragedy, and that there will be a time for accountability and measured judgment.

Quotations

• “I also assure the nation that there will be a full, thorough and independent investigation into this tragedy. The families affected and indeed the people of Guyana deserve answers, deserve to know precisely what transpired, and whether any failures contributed to this heartbreaking event. We will pursue the truth with transparency, impartiality, and accountability.”— Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana
• “It was a deeply emotional experience. I listened to their stories, shared in their pain and anxiety”— Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana

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