Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali has appointed a specialized Safety and Compliance Audit Team to conduct a comprehensive review of maritime safety and compliance standards for vessels operating within the nation’s waters.
The decision, announced on Friday, marks a significant regulatory response to the recent sinking of the ferry MV Barima, which has heightened scrutiny on the country’s maritime oversight framework.
President Ali emphasized that the panel has been granted broad powers to operate independently, ensuring an unbiased evaluation of the regulatory environment.
The audit team comprises top maritime experts selected to assess current protocols and identify gaps in safety enforcement.
President Ali emphasized that the panel has been granted broad powers to operate independently, ensuring an unbiased evaluation of the regulatory environment.
This structural shift aims to address systemic vulnerabilities that may have contributed to the MV Barima incident.
The move comes amid growing pressure on the Guyanese government to strengthen safety measures in its rapidly expanding maritime sector.