New Amsterdam waives burial plot fees for families of MV Barima victims

What this source establishes

Kaieteur News reports that the Mayor and Town Council of New Amsterdam announced that families of MV Barima victims will not pay for burial plots at the Stanleytown Cemetery, with refunds for anyone who paid before Wednesday's decision. Mayor Wainwright McIntosh, with Councillor Pollyanne Schultz, visited families of the dead and the missing on Wednesday 22 July: that of 28-year-old Kevin Wilson, whose death was confirmed Monday evening; of 56-year-old sailor Raymond Somra of Islington, East Bank Berbice, still unaccounted for; of Paul Seepersaud, 44, whose body was recovered Tuesday; and of Devon Mars of Sandvoort Village, not yet identified.

Key claims

• The Mayor and Town Council of New Amsterdam announced that families of those who died in the MV Barima tragedy will not have to pay for burial plots at the Stanleytown Cemetery.
• Mayor Wainwright McIntosh made the announcement on Wednesday, describing it as a gesture of solidarity with grieving families.
• Anyone who had already paid for burial spaces before Wednesday's decision would receive a full refund through the council's treasurer's office.
• McIntosh, accompanied by Councillor Pollyanne Schultz, visited the homes of families of confirmed dead and of persons still missing.
• Among those visited was the family of 28-year-old Kevin Wilson, whose death was confirmed on Monday evening.
• The mayor visited the family of 56-year-old sailor Raymond Somra of Islington, East Bank Berbice, who remains unaccounted for; relatives said Somra had worked as a sailor for more than four decades.
• Visits were also made to the families of Paul Seepersaud, 44, of Vryman's Erven, New Amsterdam, whose body was recovered on Tuesday, and Devon Mars of Sandvoort Village, West Bank Berbice, whose identity is yet to be officially confirmed.
• The mayor said 'Over a hundred lives were lost.'
• The government has declared three days of national mourning; religious and community organisations across the country have organised remembrance activities.
• The Municipality of New Amsterdam has hosted a candlelight vigil and a night of prayer in honour of those who lost their lives.

Quotations

• “I wish to announce that the municipality of New Amsterdam will be waiving all costs associated with burial spaces for the victims of this tragedy. The affected families will not be required to pay any monies for burial spaces….as a municipality, we pray that God will grant these families the strength, comfort, and courage they need during this profoundly painful period”— Wainwright McIntosh, Mayor of New Amsterdam
• “This is a critical junction in the history of this country. Over a hundred lives were lost. This is very tragic. My heart goes out nationally. The town of New Amsterdam, we are standing in solidarity with you as a family, and with every other family who would've lost their loved ones.”— Wainwright McIntosh, Mayor of New Amsterdam
• “At this time of national crisis, the town of New Amsterdam joins the entire nation of Guyana in mourning the lives lost, while remaining hopeful for those citizens who are still missing. We pray that, as a country and as a people, unity, compassion, and good sense will prevail. This is no time for politics. Families are hurting, and our focus must be on supporting them, comforting them, and standing with them. We remain hopeful that those who are still missing will be found”— Wainwright McIntosh, Mayor of New Amsterdam

Actors named

• Mayor and Town Council (M&TC) of New Amsterdam, municipality waiving burial plot fees
• Wainwright McIntosh, Mayor of New Amsterdam
• Pollyanne Schultz, Councillor of New Amsterdam who accompanied the mayor on family visits
• Kevin Wilson, 28-year-old victim whose death was confirmed on Monday evening
• Raymond Somra, 56-year-old sailor of Islington, East Bank Berbice, unaccounted for
• Paul Seepersaud, 44, of Vryman's Erven, New Amsterdam, body recovered on Tuesday
• Devon Mars, of Sandvoort Village, West Bank Berbice, identity yet to be officially confirmed
• Stanleytown Cemetery, burial site where plot fees are waived

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