President Irfaan Ali vows safety reforms following MV Barima tragedy

President Irfaan Ali has stated that the MV Barima tragedy continues to weigh heavily on him, describing the event as a “heavyweight” that causes him “sleepless nights.” Reflecting on the disaster, Ali expressed a wish that the tragedy had never occurred, particularly regarding the pain experienced by the affected families.

The President emphasized that the government intends to use the “harsh lessons” from the incident to overhaul national systems. He pledged to strengthen safety, infrastructure, leadership, and accountability to create a more efficient and secure culture of safety. Ali noted that the government’s responsibility to surviving relatives is a long-term obligation involving material and emotional support.

Ali also addressed the political climate following the disaster, accusing some individuals of attempting to gain political advantages during the period of national mourning. He maintained that the focus must remain on the grieving families, first responders, and healthcare workers involved in the aftermath.