President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali said the MV Barima tragedy must serve as a turning point for Guyana, with the lessons driving a stronger culture of safety, infrastructure, leadership and responsibility.
In a sit-down interview with journalist Fareeza Haniff, President Ali reflected on the difficult period following the tragedy, stating it remains a painful experience that continues to weigh heavily on him.
“That tragedy continues to be a heavy weight. Still a lot of sleepless nights. It is something that I wish never happened. It was something I wish the families in our country would have never had to go through,” he stated.
The president said his responsibility as head of state required him to remain present throughout the crisis and alongside the affected families, while government personnel and emergency responders worked to manage the tragedy.
“It happened. I’m the leader. And a leader must not only be a leader in the good times. You have to be a leader in every circumstances, in every season. You have to be there,” he said.
President Ali said the tragedy also demonstrated the dedication of Guyanese who responded during the crisis, highlighting the efforts of doctors and members of the uniformed services.
“I saw the doctors, our men and women in uniform, give their best. In that horrific, tragic period, I also saw the best in so many Guyanese,” he noted.
While acknowledging the continued pain experienced by the affected families, the president said the national response must now focus on applying the lessons of the tragedy to prevent similar failures in the future.
He said those lessons must inform changes across systems and institutions, with the memory of those who were lost serving as a catalyst for greater attention to safety and accountability.
“We must build a new culture of safety, infrastructure, leadership and responsibility that would signal a new beginning for a stronger, deeper, more efficient system,” he underscored.
President Ali also stressed that support for the families must continue beyond the immediate aftermath, including emotional, spiritual, physical and material assistance.
He said maintaining a connection with the affected families is equally important, ensuring they continue to feel part of the wider Guyanese community.
The head of state said the tragedy has created a lasting responsibility to those who lost loved ones, and for him, the loss cannot be undone, but the national response can ensure that the lives lost contribute to a stronger culture of safety and a more effective system for protecting Guyanese in the future.