Wisdom of the murder charge 

Dear Editor,
The decision to charge Captain Kevin Price, Chief Mate Rondell Dwayne Roberts, and Goods Superintendent Delon Granderson with 72 counts of murder in connection with the sinking of the MV Barima is legally sound and morally necessary. A tragedy like this demands more than our collective expressions of shock and horror; it demands accountability.
Some have argued that charging crew members before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry completes its work is premature. But the scales of justice and a broader investigation are not mutually exclusive. The Commission, wisely appointed by President Irfaan Ali, will examine systemic failures, the MV Barima’s seaworthiness, loading procedures, maintenance logs, and emergency response. But these things do not absolve individuals of personal responsibility when the evidence gathered so far by the Director of Public Prosecutions suggests their actions or omissions directly endangered human life.
The 72 murder charges reflect a fundamental truth that we must never lose sight of – every life is a sacred trust. To treat the deaths as mere “accidents” without legal consequence sends a dangerous message.
Early signs suggest the MV Barima disaster is already reshaping safety culture on Guyana’s rivers. There are credible reports that the Captain of the ferry MV MA Lisha recently refused to sail with only one engine working, choosing instead to ground the vessel until repairs were completed.
The Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, has repeatedly stressed that operators must not compromise on seaworthiness, even if it means delaying trips or losing income. His message: “If your boat isn’t safe, don’t sail.”
More visibly, river taxi operators, especially along the Essequibo and Mazaruni, are now insisting passengers wear their lifejackets before departure. Some are even turning away riders who refuse. This is a direct shift from past practice, where vests were frequently treated as optional.
MARAD (Maritime Administration Department) and the Guyana Coast Guard have intensified spot checks, flagging vessels without proper documentation or safety gear. Operators found in breach are being fined and warned they’ll face prosecution.
There is no doubt in my mind that charging these men sends a powerful message to every public servant and private operator: your licence to serve comes with a sacred obligation. Fail that obligation, and you will answer to the courts and to the families who will never see their loved ones again.
Justice is not revenge. Rather, it is respect for the dead, for the living, and for the rule of law that binds us all.

Yours sincerely,
H Bacchus