A motion was passed last evening to change the composition of the four sectoral oversight committees to reflect the government’s parliamentary majority.
APNU and the AFC had previously used their combined majority while in opposition to change Standing Order 86 (2) to provide for the opposition to have four of the seven spots on the Natural Resources, Economic Services, Foreign Relations and Social Services sectoral committees, with the remainder being occupied by the government.
They had argued at the time that Guyanese gave the opposition the majority in the National Assembly and as such it was the opposition that should control the committees. In the 10th Parliament, it was the combined opposition that had the majority.
However, Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally, who moved the motion yesterday, pointed out that Standing Order 86 (2) does not represent the new government majority in the National Assembly.
Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman, in brief comments supporting the motion, pointed out that the reality of a government with a clear majority must be recognised. Trotman, who was the Speaker of the 10th Parliament, said he was happy that the motion could have been passed without any rancour and corruption.
