Tempers flare as Opposition led protests target Presidential consultation on East Coast Demerara

Opposition parties today continued their protest in Melanie on the East Coast of Demerara as President Irfaan Ali was hosting consultations for his model-village initiative. The protest, led by Parliamentarians from the APNU, was demanding accountability for the MV Barima tragedy, and seeking the removal of Government Ministers Juan Edghill and Deodat Indar. Some protesters clashed with the Police as some of them attempted to cross a barricaded area outside the venue where the President's meeting was being held. APNU Member of Parliament, Dr. Terrence Campbell, said the protest actions which commenced last week are just the start, as they all take a stand for the victims of the ferry tragedy. “The 100 lives loss in the sea, is still talking, they are talking through the APNU and the other opposition parties, we are here speaking for them. The three men locked up for murder, even though they are on remand, we are here talking for them,” Dr Campbell said. Campbell described the Government’s response to the tragedy as inhumane, saying that despite the lives lost, the Government appears tone-deaf in the aftermath. He said he believes that the Government is not treating the matter with the seriousness it deserves. He urged survivors of the tragedy and the families of victims not to accept any financial settlement, as they ought to be properly compensated. “I understand that the President, is going very quickly and is offering compensation a house here and a house there, to people who survived. I want to say to the people who survived, do not accept the President’s offer, the APNU will provide you with legal support so you can get just compensation for survivors, just compensation or those who died in this tragedy,” Dr. Campbell stated. The Opposition has also been protesting against the murder charges filed against the rescued Captain and a crew member of the vessel along with the Goods Superintendent at the Transport and Harbours Department. The three men were remanded to prison after being slapped with 72 murder charges related to the deaths in the ferry disaster. “You think if the President, the Vice President, or any Ministers had any family members still at the bottom of that ocean right now, whether they would have been around the country propagating this model village,” APNU Member and Attorney-at-Law, Ronald Daniels questioned. At one stage during today’s protest, MP Campbell and PPP Member of Parliament and former APNU Member James Bond came face to face in a name calling clash and had to be separated as tempers flared. The Opposition parties have vowed to continue to mount their protests against the Government officials wherever they go.