The Office of Leader of the Opposition, Aubrey Norton yesterday berated the governing PPP/C over the cancellation of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meetings with eight called off for this year so far.
In a statement, Norton’s office said that from the 25th of January 2021 up to the present day, an “astonishing” 20 PAC meetings have been cancelled.
“What is even more astounding is that this trend persists into 2023, with eight … cancellations already recorded and counting. Adding to the gravity of the situation, sixteen … of these cancellations have occurred since the change in the quorum requirement”, the statement.
The PPP/C government had used its majority in Parliament to change the quorum to require the presence of two members from each side of the committee plus the chairman who comes from the opposition side. Since then, many of the meetings have been cancelled as the PPP/C has not been able to mobilise two of its five members to attend.
“The consistent absence of government members from PAC meetings, despite the need for two members from their side to establish a quorum, is a glaring display of incompetence on the part of the government. The PAC explicitly mandates the presence of two government members, two opposition members, and the Chairman to carry out a legitimate meeting”, the statement said.
It added that in recent times, it has become the norm for the government side to be conveniently absent from these pivotal gatherings, often citing emergencies as their justification. However, this excuse, the statement said, raises doubts about the authenticity of the government’s claims and reveals either a lack of adequate planning, organization, and commitment to discharging their responsibilities or a deliberate attempt by the government to avoid being accountable for the nation’s money.
“This recurring absence by the government side underscores a broader issue of incompetence within the current regime. Since assuming office, Guyana has been plagued by a series of unfortunate events. Yet, the fact that the entire government cannot muster the presence of just two members for a significant PAC meeting speaks volumes about their overall lack of competence or their deliberate attempt to avoid being accountable.
The PAC serves a pivotal role in financial oversight, ensuring transparency, and upholding accountability in government operations. The absence of government members not only dismisses the importance of these meetings but also undermines the fundamental principles of good governance, that of accountability”, the statement added.
The Office of the Leader of the Opposition said that when an entire government fails to fulfill the requirement of having two members present for a crucial PAC meeting, “it is an unequivocal demonstration of incompetence and an unwillingness to be accountable”.
In light of this persistent pattern of absence, the statement said that it is imperative to hold the government accountable for their incompetence and “deliberate sabotage” of the work of Parliament.
Government’s Chief Whip and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Gail Teixeira has repeatedly dismissed the opposition’s claims that her side of the PAC is attempting to stymie the work of the body.
Speaking with Stabroek News in February this year, Teixeira had cited back-to-back meetings, making it impossible for her to attend the scheduled PAC session. She, however, noted that all five members from her side submitted excuses for not being able to attend the sitting due to other commitments.
Teixeira, when defending her tabling of the motion to change the quorum, had said that the amendment offered protection to both sides of the National Assembly. She argued that the 2-2-1 formula provides for greater participation when scrutinising the Auditor General’s reports and secures representation of both sides. She pointed out that on two occasions, while the government side of the House was absent, the opposition made decisions without their input. Prior to the quorum change, meetings could be convened with the chairman and two other members.
A meeting of the PAC is scheduled for tomorrow.
