Empty seats in the government benches greeted Parliamentary Opposition members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) at their December 12, 2022 meeting. The Chairman of the Committee Jermaine Figueira issued the following statement:
“The Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly of Guyana continues to suffer from meeting to examine the spending of public funds by the Government due to the continued absence of the PPP/C members of the committee.”
Today, Monday, 12th December 2022 marks the third consecutive Monday of no meeting of the PAC since the resumption from the recess of the National Assembly due to the absence of a quorum and the 6th Monday of no PAC since the passage of a motion to change the composition of a quorum for the PAC,” the Chairman’s statement read.
Amidst widespread allegations of massive corruption at all of the Ministries of Government and at several Regional Administrative Offices. The country and people of Guyana are left with no answers, no accountability, and no transparency with this PPP/C Administration.”
The absence of the PPP/C Government members is a clear show to their total disrespect and disregard for accountability and transparency. The PPPC members continued absence from the PAC is clear evidence of the continued breakdown of the guardrails of our institutions and democratic principles and norms.
As Chairman of the PAC I’m persuaded more than ever that the work of the ministers is overwhelming for them to multitask. I have always held the position then and now, which supports the views shared by Hon. Gail Teixeira said in 2016, that the presence of ministers on the public accounts committee goes against the grain of the constitution and the standing orders. She further added they recognize that the PAC’s work involves the oversight and accountability of government expenditure.
I, therefore, call on the honorable Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs who is the lead member of the government side of the PAC to heed the convictions she holds then and recuse herself and encourage her fellow colleague minister to do so.
The people’s money and the resources of the state much be accounted for in the most prudent and responsible manner.
