The Government says efforts to identify victims and return them to their families remain a key priority as recovery operations continue following the MV Barima tragedy, with 30 people still unaccounted for.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips announced on Friday that the total number of bodies recovered has risen to 73.

Of those, 69 have been positively identified.

The Prime Minister said 63 bodies have already been released to their families, while arrangements continue to transport vic

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips says respecting the wishes of grieving families remains at the heart of government’s response to the MV Barima tragedy.

During Friday’s media briefing, the Prime Minister explained that authorities have been working closely with relatives since the disaster to identify both survivors and the deceased while ensuring funeral arrangements honour each family’s religious and cultural traditions.

“From the inception, we said we were working with the families to

A five-member Commission of Inquiry (COI) has been appointed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the capsizing and sinking of the MV Barima, in keeping with the commitment made by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali.

President Ali on Sunday said the commission will examine the causes of the tragedy, review the search, rescue and recovery operations, and determine whether any acts of negligence, misconduct, dereliction of duty, or other failures contributed to the disaster.

The commission, chaire

Thirty-one ommunities in Region 8 have been awarded contracts totaling $930 million to support the rehabilitation and maintenance of roads, bridges and vital connections across the region.

The contracts, signed on Saturday at the Ministry of Public Works, reflect a significant increase in support, from $5 million to $30 million. Permanent Secretary Vladim Persaud highlighted the importance of these investments. 

In keeping with earlier commitments, President Dr. Irfaan Ali says an international and independent commission of inquiry will investigate the circumstances surrounding the capsizing of the MV Barima. The five-member panel will be named on Sunday, July 26.

In a statement earlier today, President Ali announced that the commission comprised distinguished experts in law, marine engineering, maritime safety, and disaster investigation. He noted that the members have been carefully selected for their independ

A $54.9 billion Supplementary Financial Paper will come before the National Assembly on Monday for consideration.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, says the package aims to accelerate development across key sectors.

The proposed allocations include $17.5 billion for the Ministry of Housing to fast-track housing development and reduce the backlog of applications.

Supplementary provisions of $8.3 billion will also be considered for the ag