November 27 ,2020
The Alliance For Change (AFC) is continuing to call on the Parliament of Guyana to convene all of the Standing and Select Committees, in particular the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
General Secretary of the AFC, David Patterson MP who is designated to be a member of the PAC, noted that the Public Accounts Committee last met on August 6, 2018 – some 27 months ago, and at that time – they were about only 30% complete in examining the 2016 Auditor General (AG) reports. In reality the PAC is some 3 ½ years behind with the examination of the Public Accounts, a statement from the AFC said today.
In accordance with the Standing Orders, the AFC recognises that the Speaker, Manzoor Nadir must schedule the first meeting, which is simply to elect the Chairman of the PAC, thereafter it’s the Chairman’s responsibility to schedule and host meetings.
On behalf of the AFC, the statement said that Patterson has written to the Speaker stating that there should be no impediment to the hosting of the first meeting, since all that is required for a quorum is three members and the opposition has four members. The Chairman of the Committee must come from the Opposition – thus the attendance of the Government members, while desirable, is not necessary.
The AFC says that should the Speaker be unavailable; the Deputy Speaker should be mandated to host the first meeting. The party noted that a similar meeting in 2015 to elect the Chairman lasted all of 15 minutes.
The AFC said that Opposition Chief Whip, Christopher Jones was told a few days ago that the Speaker intended to schedule committee meetings next Monday and Tuesday. Although the AFC welcomes this announcement, it noted that the Standing Orders require Members to have three days’ notice before the holding of a meeting, and as of today, no Member of the Opposition has received notice for a proposed meeting.