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Guyana’s Ambassador Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, a candidate for the position of United Nations Secretary General (SG), has pledged that, if selected for the organisation’s top post, she will prioritise the critical reforms needed to ensure the UN remains effective, relevant, and equipped to meet the challenges of the present and the future.
She made the remarks during an interview with CGTN’s Elaine Reyes, host of UN Insider, where they discussed UN80, multilateralism, and the prospect of the UN electing its first female SG.
“The UN has stood the test of time. And it’s 80 years now. And I think in any organisation, there comes a time when you have to look at what you have done well, what you can do better. And I think we’re at that time right now. And as you know, reform is in the air. Work has started on that. But I truly believe that there is no alternative to the UN. And we can make it better,” Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett expressed.
“Even in the situation that the world is in right now, I think that all roads always lead back to the UN,” she added.
According to the UNSG candidate, if selected for the role, among her top priorities would be ensuring she is surrounded by a team that is balanced with the requisite skills needed for the organisation to succeed.
The second priority, she said, would be looking at ‘moving the needle’ on some of the global conflicts.
“There’s also a large humanitarian challenge. The humanitarian needs are ballooning, and the resources are shrinking. But we’re talking here about the lives of people, of men and women and children. And work has been done already on a pact, on a humanitarian pact. And I would like to see how we can accelerate that kind of assistance,” Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett explained.
“And thirdly, on the development side, where there is development, there is peace. Where there is peace, there is development.   So, we need to accelerate work with the international financial institutions and how we can make access to finance easier, especially for the developing world,” she added.

Fit for purpose
The Guyanese Ambassador has been meeting with various member states, as she has been outlining her vision for implementing reforms if elected to the next UNSG.
Commenting on these engagements, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett related that “I’ve heard from member states that they believe in the UN, that we need the UN.”
“But also, I’ve heard from member states is that we need to better the UN and a commitment to do that. So, I think that’s the first, if I may call it, the first hurdle, in the sense that when you listen to people talking about the UN not being fit for purpose, being useless, things like that, I think it’s because they don’t have a perspective on the entire UN. The UN is about peace and security, but the UN is also about development. And the UN has been able to do quite a lot on the ground. And I’ve visited several countries during my time on the Security Council, but even before that, and in my own country, and I’ve seen how the UN functions. And I also see where we can make improvements. And this is why I’m running for Secretary General, because I want to be part of making the UN effective, making the UN efficient, making the UN ready for now and for the future,” she said.

 Reforms
According to Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett, there are three aspects to the current UN reform.
“One is the improvement in the Secretariat, more effective, more efficient, as I mentioned. The second part is how we deal with the mandates of member states. The Secretary General and the Secretariat are responsible for implementing those mandates. And that work has been done by member states in how we treat with new mandates. For example, we ensure that the cost that is associated when a mandate is created is known before we create those mandates or before member states create those mandates. And so that work is done, that resolution has been passed, and it’s for the Secretary General to implement that. As Secretary General, if I’m appointed, I would ensure that member states are provided with the information whenever those mandates are being created so that they make the decisions based on the information that’s provided to them,” the Guyanese diplomat noted.
The third aspect of reform, she added, would have the deepest impact because it deals with structural alignment of the UN and its agencies.
“And that work is going on at the moment. And should I be appointed, again, the work in the structural alignment would ensure that we deliver better, but it could only do that if what is approved by member states is geared at that delivery. Now, I believe that reform is an ongoing process; it’s not an event. And so, we have to continue to maybe call it adjustments, make adjustments as we go along, always bearing in mind the needs of member states on the ground,” she explained.

Multilateralism
During the interview, Ambassador Rodrigues-Birkett also spoke about the importance of multilateralism, noting that “multilateralism is where we set the norms of the world, is how we set the norms of the world that we all agree to live by.”
“And I haven’t heard any member states say, ‘We are walking away from that.’ “ No one is leaving the UN. No one is leaving the Security Council. And to me, that tells me that that’s a commitment by all of us that multilateralism remains extremely important. And diplomacy is what we have to expand… Because wars don’t end by themselves. They end with diplomacy. And I, as Secretary General, should I be appointed, would ensure that diplomacy is always the first option, mindful of the geopolitical situation that we find ourselves in, but you would see that even when decisions are made outside of the UN, they come back to the UN for validation. We’ve seen that with Haiti. We’ve seen that also with the resolution that was passed in the Security Council on Gaza. The negotiations happened outside of the UN, but it was validated in the UN,” she posited.
“And we have to look at all methods of bringing peace. And so, some may start in the UN, some may start elsewhere, but I believe there’s no alternative to the UN as a validator and as a legitimiser,” she added.

 First female UNSG
The Guyanese diplomat also shared her thoughts on the prospect of becoming the first female UNSG.
“The fact of the matter is the UN has never had a woman Secretary General. So, I think that would send to the world, especially to young women out there, that ceilings can be broken, but it would also send a message to the world that men are with women on this. Because if you look at the United Nations of the 193 member states, less than 25 per cent of the permanent representatives are women. And given the process for the appointment of the Secretary General requires a recommendation from the Security Council, where we have a minority of women, and it goes to the General Assembly, where we have a minority of women as well. If that is approved, it would say that men are with women on this,” she noted.

Selection
The other candidates are María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, nominated by Antigua and Barbuda; Rafael Mariano Grossi, nominated by Argentina; Rebeca Grynspan Mayufis, nominated by Costa Rica; and former Senegalese President Macky Sall, nominated by Burundi. The SG is appointed by the 193-member United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the recommendation of the Security Council.
While the Council, particularly its five permanent members with veto power, plays a decisive role in recommending a candidate, the final appointment is made by the General Assembly. If elected, Rodrigues-Birkett would become the first woman to serve as UNSG since the organisation was established in 1945, as well as the first Caribbean national to hold the post.
Rodrigues-Birkett has served as Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the UN since 2020. She previously served as Director of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Liaison Office in Geneva from 2017 to 2020, Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2008 to 2015, and Minister of Amerindian Affairs from 2001 to 2008.

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…as Guyana inks agreement to strengthen capacity to respond to health threats

The Guyana Government has been commended for its interventions as part of the emergency response following the MV Barima tragedy, which saw 76 persons being rescued, 73 bodies recovered and 30 others still unaccounted for after the vessel capsized and sank nearly two weeks ago.

Country Representative of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Guyana, Dr Kim Eva Dickson, made these remarks following a recent visit to Region One (Barima-Waini), where she observed the work being done on the ground. She emphasised the importance of coordination among the various State agencies during such national emergencies.
“We were really impressed with the efforts on the ground… The Ministry of Health is doing so much on the ground in Region One. They have the [Ministry of] Human Services and Social Security there, Education [Ministry] there. But when you’re on the ground, it is visible… This is not coming out to the population [and] we need to get it out… The [Health] Ministry is ready and doing its utmost to support emergencies as they emerge,” the PAHO representative stated.
MV Barima was en route to Port Kaituma, Region One, when the horrific accident occurred on July 18. Since a majority of the victims as well as survivors hail from that Barima region, the Government has established help centres for grieving families of those still missing. Medical and counselling services are also being offered to both survivors and other impacting relatives, as well as other support and assistance from the state. The Government has already covered the funeral expenses for dozens of victims of the ferry accident.

Moreover, President Dr Irfaan Ali this week continued his one-on-one engagements with those affected by the MV Barima tragedy. In keeping with an earlier commitment, the Head of State said the Government will remain closely engaged with every family impacted by this tragedy, ensuring they receive the care, support, and assistance they need – not only in the immediate aftermath, but throughout their journey toward healing and recovery.

Emergency response capabilities
Dr Dickson’s praise for the Government’s response came on Wednesday during the signing of an agreement between the Health Ministry and PAHO/WHO to build technical capacity across Guyana as part of the country’s efforts to strengthen its response systems to public health threats.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, which had highlighted how ill-equipped countries are to response to health emergencies, the Guyana Government launched a One Health Project aimed at strengthening national capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health threats by upgrading laboratories, expanding surveillance systems, improving emergency preparedness, and reinforcing coordination across human, animal and environmental health sectors.
This initiative also seeks to strengthen Guyana’s International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities while enhancing resilience against zoonotic and emerging diseases.

Through this new pact, the Health Ministry will be working with PAHO to deliver targeted technical activities, including laboratory strengthening, disease surveillance and emergency response, workforce training, and multisectoral One Health coordination.
According to Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony, many local health professionals will be trained under this initiative.
“With this component that PAHO is going to help us implement, there is a lot of training… We will train and hire new people under this project because, to achieve what we intend to do, we currently do not have all the human resources that are required. This project will provide us with the opportunity to recruit and build that capacity,” Minister Anthony said.
Greater resilience
While the PAHO Representative lauded the Region One response as progress Guyana has made in strengthening its systems, the Health Minister said more needs to be done to transform existing systems and build even greater resilience. In fact, he said this partnership with PAHO will build on the foundation works that the Ministry has already started post the COVID pandemic to strengthen its public health system.
“You don’t have to wait until there is a problem to build a system. You have to build systems in anticipation of problems. So, whenever these problems occur, we’re able to fix it… That’s what we’re trying to do here… This technical component that we will be working on with PAHO is extremely important, and I hope that the staff and all of our partner agencies will take this very seriously,” Dr Anthony stressed.
Guyana One Health Project
The Guyana One Health Project is being financed by a US$15 million grant from the Pandemic Fund and a US$7 million loan through an International Development Association (IDA) Credit by the World Bank. Of that US$22 million, some US$1.78 million is being used to finance this component of the initiative that will be executed through the partnership with PAHO.
Country Officer at the World Bank’s office in Guyana, Hubert Forrester, says this new partnership with PAHO will support the technical and implementation work needed to help translate the project’s ambitions into concrete results.
“Through this engagement, we expect stronger institutional coordination, improved technical support to implementation, and enhanced technical capacity to advance the One Health agenda in a way that is practical, measurable and responsive to Guyana’s needs. Ultimately, the success of the project will be measured not only by the systems strengthened or the plans prepared but by the benefits delivered to the people of Guyana,” the World Bank official stated.
On its second attempt, Guyana successfully received approval in January 2024 for financing from the Pandemic Fund – a global financing mechanism dedicated to strengthen country’s critical pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response efforts – for its national action plan for health security, that is, the Guyana One Health Project.
Introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO), the “One Health” concept is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimise the health of people, animals and ecosystems. It recognises that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and their shared environment.

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…clears path for committal hearing to resume in Magistrate’s Court
…says no bias by Home Affairs Minister in issuing ATP

United States-sanctioned and indicted Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, have lost their latest bid to fight off their extradition to the US to face an 11-count criminal indictment after the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) on Wednesday dismissed an appeal filed by them.

Back in March, the Mohameds approached the CCJ, seeking special leave to appeal the decisions of the High Court and Appeal Court of Guyana – both of which had previously dismissed legal proceedings to halt their extradition to the US, where they are indicted on charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering.
The appeal sought to challenge aspects of the extradition process initiated against the father and son. The CCJ had decided to hear the application for special leave and the substantive appeal at the same time during the April 21 session.

During that hearing, the Mohameds had told the CCJ that they are not opposed to the extradition itself, but are asking the court to overturn the “Authority to Proceed” (ATP) issued under Guyana’s Fugitive Offenders Act by Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond, arguing that the Minister’s decision was legally flawed and politically biased.
The defence had noted that the speed at which the ATP was issued, shortly after the request was received, created an appearance of predetermined approval and raised questions about fairness at the earliest stage of the process.
But Senior Counsel Douglas Mendes, representing Guyana’s Government, defended the issuance of the ATP, contending that the Minister’s role at this stage is administrative and not adjudicative. He rejected the suggestion that the timing of the decision indicated bias, stating instead that any delay could have equally been criticised as a failure to act.

No bias
In a ruling delivered virtually on Wednesday, the CCJ unanimously decided to dismiss the appeal being sought by the Mohameds.

In the lead judgement delivered on behalf of himself and CCJ President Justice Winston Anderson, Justice Denys Barrow ruled that the Minister’s decision to issue the ATP was in fact merely an administrative step to initiate the extradition process and does not determine guilt or the extradition itself. They further found that the applicants had failed to establish that the issuance of the ATP was tainted by bias.
“There was no requirement for the Minister issuing the ATP to be free from political bias. What was required was for the Minister to engage in a process that allowed for consideration of the factors contemplated by the Act. Their Honours found that the applicants had not challenged the process that led to the issuance of the ATP, save for the allegation that the Minister was politically biased… While the Attorney General, as Chief Legal Advisor to the Government, must necessarily be circumspect in any comment on extradition requests, upon which his advice may be sought, the decision to issue the ATP was statutorily vested in and was, as a matter of fact, exercised by the Minister, with very minimal advice from the Attorney General,” the court ruled.
In separate opinions, however, Justices Maureen Rajnauth-Lee, Peter Jamadar, and Arif Bulkan, though agreeing that the case should be dismissed, found that there was a possibility of bias displayed by the Attorney General. But the Judges ruled that this did not influence the Home Affairs Minister’s decision.
The CCJ Judges “…concluded that there is no appearance of bias established against the Minister as the decision-maker or by reason of the larger ecosystem in which the Minister operated. However, in relation to the Attorney General, they concluded that there was a real possibility that the Attorney General was biased. Despite this, they were of the view that the Attorney General’s apparent bias had not so contaminated the process as to raise a real possibility that the decision of the Minister to issue the ATP was initiated by bias.”

No “clean hands”
But even as the regional court found some biasness on the part of other senior Government officials and underscored the importance of judicial independence while cautioning against public comments by public officials on pending judicial proceedings, it noted, however, that the appellants, particularly Azruddin Mohamed, was not without fault or with “clean hands”.
Justices Chantal Ononaiwu and Chile Eboe-Osuji, in their separate opinions, also agreed that the appeal should be dismissed, stressing that allegations of bias must be assessed from the perspective of a fair-minded and informed observer who considers all the surrounding circumstances.
“On the facts and circumstances of the present case, the second appellant [Azruddin Mohamed] does not have clean hands. He provoked verbal attacks against him by his own early attacks against Government officials or his own willing participation in a general brawl of political calumny,” the Judges ruled.

Committal hearing
The interim stay of the extradition proceedings that was imposed by the court back in March was lifted. This now paved the way for the committal proceedings in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts to resume before Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman.
Prior to the CCJ stay, the extradition proceedings had already faced extensive delays due to constitutional and legal challenges, health claims and lateness from parties involved. In fact, the last hearing on March 24 had to be adjourned after Azruddin Mohamed did not show up and the Magistrate’s court was told that he had suffered from dengue. His diagnosis and laboratory results were submitted to the court, and his doctor was called to give evidence on his condition.
Back in October 2025, the US Government had requested the extradition of the Mohameds to face charges regarding the alleged smuggling of more than 10,000 kilograms of gold through the United States and evading over US$50 million in taxes.
The father-and-son duo have been out on $150,000 bail each, pending the outcome of the extradition committal proceedings.

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The Rose Hall Community Centre Cricket Club (RHCCCC) has secured a boost ahead of the upcoming white-ball cricket season following the donation of 30 playing uniforms from Wazim and Sons Infrastructure.
In a social media post published on the club’s official Facebook page, the club expressed gratitude to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Wazim Yashwardeo, for sponsoring what it described as ”30 top-quality uniforms from CricZoneUSA”.
According to the post, Yashwardeo said he was pleased with the club’s ongoing development and youth programmes. As a resident of the East Canje area, he reportedly reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the club and pledged to continue doing so in the future.
The club also highlighted its contribution to youth cricket in Berbice, noting that it has been a dominant force in the region over the past five years while producing a number of male and female cricketers who have gone on to represent Guyana at the national level.
The social media post further stated that it was encouraging to see more companies recognising and investing in community-based sports programmes, particularly those focused on youth development.
The club concluded by extending its appreciation to Yashwardeo on behalf of its executive and members, thanking him for his continued support.

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Road safety is often discussed in the aftermath of tragedy, when collisions claim lives, leave families grieving and communities searching for answers. Yet the most effective road safety strategies are those implemented long before an accident occurs. Prevention remains the strongest safeguard against needless loss, making education one of the most valuable investments in building a safer transport environment.
The Guyana Police Force’s continued expansion of road safety education across communities, workplaces, and regional organisations deserves recognition for placing emphasis where it matters most – equipping road users with the knowledge and practical skills needed to make sound decisions behind the wheel. While enforcement remains an important pillar of traffic management, education strengthens compliance by helping motorists understand not only what the law requires but also why those rules exist.
Teaching the rules of the road is far more than preparing individuals to obtain a driver’s licence. It creates a culture of discipline and predictability that benefits every road user. Roads function safely when motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, and passengers share a common understanding of traffic laws, right-of-way principles, speed limits, and road markings. Every driver who correctly interprets a road sign or responds appropriately at an intersection contributes to reducing confusion and preventing collisions.
Important also is the emphasis being placed on defensive driving as modern road networks present countless variables, from changing weather conditions and mechanical failures to the unpredictable actions of other motorists. Defensive driving encourages anticipation rather than reaction. It teaches drivers to remain alert, maintain safe following distances, scan for potential hazards and prepare for the unexpected. These habits reduce risk not only for the individual driver but for everyone sharing the roadway.
The inclusion of a curb drill in these educational programmes also highlights the need to cultivate safe behaviour from an early stage. Learning to stop, observe traffic carefully and cross roads safely remains one of the most fundamental life skills. As Guyana continues to experience increased urbanisation and expanding traffic volumes, reinforcing these basic safety principles among children and adults alike becomes even more critical.
The continued promotion of the Five Cs of safe driving represents another practical approach to developing responsible motorists. Safe driving is not determined by technical ability alone. It requires constant awareness, sound judgement, patience and consistency. These principles encourage drivers to remain focused, anticipate changing conditions and exercise caution at all times. Developing these habits transforms driving from a routine activity into one that demands continuous attention and responsibility.
One of the greatest challenges facing road safety worldwide is distracted driving. Mobile devices have become indispensable tools of daily life, but their misuse behind the wheel carries enormous risks. Even a brief glance away from the road can have devastating consequences when travelling at highway speeds. Restricting mobile phone use while driving is therefore not an inconvenience but a necessity. Drivers cannot safely divide attention between operating a vehicle and engaging with electronic devices. Public education on this issue is essential as technology becomes increasingly integrated into everyday routines.
Understanding road signs and pavement markings is another area that deserves sustained attention. These visual guides communicate vital information instantly, directing traffic flow, warning of hazards and promoting orderly movement. Failure to recognise or obey them creates unnecessary danger for motorists and pedestrians alike. Continuous public education ensures that both new and experienced drivers remain familiar with evolving traffic systems and infrastructure.
No discussion on road safety would be complete without addressing impaired driving. Alcohol significantly reduces judgement, slows reaction time and affects coordination, all of which are essential for safe vehicle operation. The consequences extend well beyond the impaired driver, placing passengers, pedestrians and other motorists at unacceptable risk. Public awareness campaigns that consistently reinforce the dangers and legal consequences of driving under the influence remain indispensable components of any national road safety strategy.
The decision to extend these educational programmes into workplaces, rural communities and regional organisations reflects an understanding that road safety is a shared responsibility. Training that reaches professional drivers is particularly valuable, as they spend considerable time on the nation’s roadways and often transport passengers, goods and essential services.
Individuals who participate in these programmes frequently become advocates within their own families, workplaces and communities. Conversations about seat belt use, speeding, distracted driving and responsible road behaviour help reinforce positive habits.

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Attorney General (AG) and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall has accused the Parliamentary Opposition of exploiting the MV Barima tragedy for political gain, saying its members appear more concerned with blaming the Government than supporting those affected by the incident.
“They have exploited people’s anger, they have exploited people’s trauma, they have exploited people’s pain, they have exploited people’s grief, they have exploited people’s anguish in prosecuting and prostituting their narrow political agenda,” Nandlall contended during his programme “Issues in the News” on Tuesday.
In fact, Nandlall referred to their conduct in the National Assembly on Monday, arguing that the session should have been marked by solemnity in light of the tragedy.
“Tell me whether that group that you saw there was concerned about the loss of life, about the grief that people were going through, or whether they were there to prosecute their own political agenda. Some of them were laughing and whining and gyrating and singing and beating a rhythm so they could dance in the National Assembly,” the AG highlighted.
“You would have expected that in the National Assembly, there would have been an aura of sobriety, an aura that reflects a country that is mourning, that is in grief, a country that has never suffered such a disaster in its young independent history. The National Assembly was [on Monday] supposed to be a solemn and sober place [but] it was converted into an indecent vulgar melee with the Opposition mocking at those who are grieving and using their placards and their photographs in the most vulgar display of political vendetta,” he further posited.
According to AG Nandlall, the Opposition appears to be more concerned with attacking the Government than supporting the victims of the MV Barima tragedy.
“They see this as ‘the Government must be held responsible’, and they take great joy in trying to push the blame on the Government; that is all that they are concerned about,” the Attorney General contended.
Moreover, Nandlall condemned the Opposition’s refusal to offer remarks on the tragedy during the Parliamentary session.
During the sitting, Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir offered Opposition representatives an opportunity to speak on the tragedy and address the grieving families, but they declined. Leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) and Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, who has been sanctioned by the United States (US) and indicted, was allocated five minutes to express his views on the tragedy, while Leader of the Opposition Parliamentary group, the Peoples National Congress-led A Partnership for National Unity (PNC-led APNU), Terrence Campbell, was allocated two minutes. However, both declined to use the allotted speaking time to say anything. Instead, the Opposition members pressed on with their protest proceedings in the House.
According to Nandlall, “The PNC has a long history of this type of conduct, and the WIN party is not much different; most of them are from the PNC anyhow.”

Responsibility
To date, 73 persons have been confirmed dead following the ferry’s capsizing, 30 remain unaccounted for, and 76 have survived.
On Monday, three workers attached to the Transport and Harbours Department – the captain, a crew member and the superintendent who was in charge of loading the vessel – were slapped with 72 counts of murder.
Some Opposition members have criticised the decision, but Nandlall maintained that those responsible must be held accountable. He also accused the Opposition of hypocrisy, saying it cannot demand justice while simultaneously condemning the authorities’ actions to ensure accountability.
“They want responsible and accountable actions to be taken. The first set of people whom you have to hold accountable are those who are primarily in charge. If a minibus…crashed and all the passengers are dead, who first are you going to go for if not the driver and the conductor if they survive? You’re going behind somebody else when they had actual conduct, control and possession of the vehicle?” Nandlall reasoned.
“Not on a single occasion, in my recollection, has the PNC ever taken a position on the side of the law enforcement agencies. Even now, 100 persons are believed to be dead, and whose side do they take? Not the victims,” he added.
“If the families of the victims and those who survived and their relatives are in doubt on which side of the divide the Opposition stands, well they shouldn’t be in doubt anymore, because they have chosen a side and that’s why I’m saying [in Parliament], what you saw was political grandstanding, it had nothing to do with the pain and anguish that people are people,” Nandlall further posited.
Charged are 40-year-old Kevin Price, also called “KP”, the boat Captain of Melanie Damishana, East Coast Demerara (ECD); Rondell Dwayne Roberts, 42, Chief Mate of Grove Public Road, East Bank Demerara (EBD); and Delon Granderson, 33, Goods superintendent of Fellowship, West Coast Demerara (WBD).
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has since explained that its decision to institute murder charges based upon careful consideration of the evidence presented, the relevant principles of law involved, case law authorities from the United Kingdom, Commonwealth jurisdictions, the European Court of Human Rights, and public policy considerations.

CoI
Moreover, the DPP noted that the impending Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the tragedy will not affect the prosecution of the charge, as both proceedings can occur simultaneously.
President Dr Irfaan Ali has announced a five-member international CoI into the circumstances surrounding the capsizing of the MV Barima. Nandlall said no Guyanese was appointed to the panel in order to avoid any perception of bias.
“Not a single Guyanese was selected, and that was deliberately done so that unnecessary allegations of bias and compromise cannot reasonably be made. Of course, attempts are being made to tarnish the good character and sterling reputation of these persons, but those attempts are in vain,” Nandlall asserted.
The five-member CoI will be headed by former Belizean Justice of Appeal and distinguished legal expert Godfrey Phillip Smith, who currently serves as the CARICOM High-Level Representative for Law and Criminal Justice and is the Ad Hoc Justice of Appeal at the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal. It also includes Captain Hamada Fouda, an internationally respected maritime safety specialist with more than 35 years of experience in marine regulation and casualty investigations; Trinidad and Tobago Senior Attorney-at-Law, Nyree Dawn Alfonso, who has represented clients in complex ship arrests, maritime disputes, salvage operations, collisions, marine casualty claims, marine insurance matters and arbitrations; Dr Andrzej Jasionowski, a forensic naval architecture and marine engineering expert, out of Poland, who has specialised since 1995 in the application of advanced numerical techniques for stability, hydrodynamics, oil film lubrication, thermodynamics of liquefied natural gas (LNG) mixtures, ship flooding simulations, probabilistic assessments of time to sink and capsize, holistic risk quantification, and shaft alignment; and decorated Trinidad and Tobago Rear Admiral (RADM) Hayden A Pritchard, who has over 38 years of experience in security and maritime operations, policy development, change management and public and security sector reform.
Local private sector organisations have welcomed the team assembled by President Ali, expressing confidence that its composition inspires trust in the inquiry’s ability to be thorough, independent and credible.
The MV Barima was en route to Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini) on July 18 with 179 persons onboard, when it capsized and sank off the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).

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