Parliament must determine COI's composition for MV Barima probe – Dr. Campbell

What this source establishes

Kaieteur News reports APNU MP Dr Terrence Campbell arguing that the National Assembly, not the President alone, should determine the Commission of Inquiry's composition, scope and terms of reference, and calling for standing orders to be suspended so Monday's sitting could be devoted to the disaster. Campbell called it the biggest disaster in Guyana's history from a single event, distinguishing it from Jonestown on the grounds that few Jonestown victims were Guyanese. He invoked Westminster ministerial responsibility, said accountability must run 'top to bottom' without scapegoating, and questioned why newly acquired vessels sat unused and GDF helicopters could not be deployed. He said the administration had not briefed the opposition.

Key claims

• 72 bodies recovered as of Thursday evening per PM Phillips, with dozens still unaccounted for.
• Campbell wants standing orders suspended so the National Assembly can discuss the tragedy ahead of bills and a supplementary financial bill, when it meets Monday.
• Campbell calls it 'the biggest disaster in Guyana's history', noting Jonestown claimed hundreds of lives but few were Guyanese citizens.
• Campbell argues Parliament, not the President alone, should determine the COI's composition, scope and terms of reference.
• Campbell says 'Accountability must go from top to bottom' and demands accountability without scapegoating.
• Campbell questions why newly acquired vessels purchased at significant cost remain unused, and why GDF helicopters could not be effectively deployed, forcing reliance on privately operated aircraft.
• Campbell invokes the Westminster system, arguing ministers in other democracies resign after tragedies of this magnitude: 'It cannot be that this country is so dependent on Minister Edghill.'
• Campbell says he could not reach the site because 'M.P. Sherrod Duncan had been arrested', and that about 30 minutes away he saw only private operators and the Leader of the Opposition, some contracted by Mohamed.
• Campbell describes seeing bodies of a baby, teenagers and adults floating face downwards.
• Campbell warns not all bodies may be recovered and that DNA testing may be the only means of identifying some.
• Campbell says the Irfaan Ali administration has made no effort to brief or meet the parliamentary opposition on response and recovery.

Quotations

• “This is the biggest disaster in Guyana's history”— Dr. Terrence Campbell, APNU Member of Parliament
• “Accountability must go from top to bottom”— Dr. Terrence Campbell, APNU Member of Parliament
• “It cannot be that we are so dependent on the great bishop that no one else can do what he's doing right now.”— Dr. Terrence Campbell, APNU Member of Parliament
• “I've seen babies, a baby. I've seen teenagers. I've seen adults out there floating on the back, face downwards.”— Dr. Terrence Campbell, APNU Member of Parliament

Actors named

• Dr. Terrence Campbell, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Member of Parliament
• Mark Phillips, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret'd)
• Juan Edghill, Minister of Public Works, referred to as 'the great bishop'
• Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana, and his administration
• Sherrod Duncan, MP, reported to have been arrested
• Azruddin Mohamed, Leader of the Opposition, present at recovery operations
• Guyana Defence Force, whose helicopters Campbell questions
• New Day programme on GoMoseley Radio, where Campbell spoke
• National Assembly of Guyana

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