Pres. Ali names new maritime audit team

What this source establishes

The state's second investigative body in the fortnight, announced 31 July and reported 1 August. A three-member Safety and Compliance Audit Team under a former MARAD Director-General, Dr Ivor English, with Col. Julius Skeete of the GDF and Capt. Joseph Lewis. Its remit is prospective — compliance standards for marine vessels generally, rather than the Barima — and, like the Commission before it, it arrives with no deadline, no budget, no terms of reference published as a document, and no undertaking to publish. It is established by presidential directive with no statutory basis stated, and nothing in the report says how it relates to the Commission of Inquiry.

Key claims

• President Irfaan Ali announced on Friday 31 July the establishment of a **Safety and Compliance Audit Team** to review the safety and compliance standards governing marine vessels operating in Guyana. Reported 1 August.
• Three members are named: **Dr Ivor English**, a former Director-General of the Maritime Administration Department, as leader; **Colonel Julius Skeete** of the Guyana Defence Force; and **Captain Joseph Lewis**, Marine Officer and Surveyor of Ships.
• Ali, quoted: "I have established a Safety and Compliance Audit Team to undertake a comprehensive review of the safety and compliance standards governing marine vessels operating in Guyana."
• The remit as reported: to examine compliance with maritime safety requirements and recommend strengthened oversight, improved enforcement, and higher standards for vessels, operators and regulatory systems.
• [UNRESOLVED] **No reporting deadline, no budget, no terms of reference and no publication undertaking appear in the report.** It is established by presidential directive; no statutory basis is stated.
• This is a body separate from the Commission of Inquiry sworn in on 30 July, and the report does not say how the two relate.

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