Dear Editor,
Like many Guyanese, I have struggled to find the right words following the MV Barima tragedy. Lives were lost, families were changed forever, and an entire nation was left grieving. My thoughts remain with every person who lost a loved one and everyone still carrying the pain of what happened.
Amid that sorrow, we also witnessed the strength of our people. First responders, search teams, and ordinary citizens came forward to help in whatever way they could. Their courage and compassion reminded us that Guyanese have always been willing to stand together when tragedy strikes.
However, our grief must also lead us to ask difficult questions about safety and preparedness.
Many Guyanese depend on boats to travel for work, school, trade and access to essential services. For some communities, our rivers are not simply part of the landscape; they are a necessary part of everyday life. Safety on our waterways therefore cannot be treated as an afterthought.
As a young Guyanese watching our country develop, I believe progress must mean more than new roads, buildings and major projects. It must also mean having reliable emergency communication systems, trained response teams, modern search-and-rescue equipment and strong safety measures that protect people wherever they live.
Guyana now has greater financial resources and access to more advanced knowledge through its growing industries, including oil and gas. We should use those opportunities responsibly to strengthen our national emergency response and marine-safety systems. While offshore operations and river transportation are different, the emphasis placed on planning, training, coordination and safety in the offshore industry may offer useful lessons that can be adapted to our local needs.
This is not about politicizing a tragedy or suggesting that any investment can erase the pain families are experiencing. It is about ensuring that the lives lost are honored through serious reflection and meaningful action.
We may not be able to prevent every accident, but we can work to ensure that when something goes wrong, the systems needed to respond are ready. The lessons from this tragedy must not disappear when the public conversation becomes quieter.
The MV Barima tragedy will always be remembered with deep sadness. Let it also strengthen our determination to make Guyana’s waterways safer and to build a country in which every life is valued and protected.
Sincerely,
Shuntell Hall
