Opposition Member of Parliament Dawn Hastings-Williams has called for a comprehensive review of the transportation service system for hinterland residents following the MV Barima tragedy.
Speaking at a recent joint press conference, Hastings-Williams said there had never been a comprehensive review of transportation services by sea, air or land for hinterland residents.
She highlighted the disproportionate impact of the disaster on hinterland and Indigenous communities, noting that the tragedy exposed longstanding transportation challenges faced by residents of Region One and the difficult conditions passengers often endure during lengthy journeys aboard vessels.
Hastings-Williams said the disaster pointed to breaches of maritime rules, adding that discrepancies suggested proper passenger registration was not followed, raising concerns about compliance with safety requirements and accountability during emergencies.
Meanwhile, fellow opposition MP Odessa Primus called for a coordinated national emergency response framework, saying tragedies of this scale required a unified approach.
The Disaster Risk Management Bill, under development for several years, falls under the portfolio of Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips, who has responsibility for disaster preparedness and response. During the 2026 budget debates, Phillips told Parliament that $73 billion had been allocated for disaster preparedness and management, noting that disasters can derail national development if governments fail to plan ahead.