The National Assembly Thursday evening adopted the Fifth Periodic Report of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services, moved by Chairperson of the Committee, Indranie Chandarpal.
Chandarpal explained that the sectoral committees were empowered to examine all policies and administrations for each sector to determine whether the execution of government’s policies is in consonance with the principles of good governance and in the best interest of Guyanese.
All areas of government activities are scrutinized by these committees, and government ministers and other public officials are summoned to provide information, answer questions, and give evidence.
Based on that mandate the Social Services Committee, comprising members of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic, People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and the Alliance For Change (AFC), undertook a number of areas of responsibility, including the Ministries of Culture, Youth and Sport, Education, Labour, Human Services and Social Security, Home Affairs, Public Service, Amerindian Affairs, Legal Affairs, Health, Tourism, Industry and Commerce (Consumer Affairs) and Office of the President (National Art Collection).
For the period under review, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security was invited to address concerns on old age pensions and public assistance, while the Education Ministry apprised the committee on education policy with regard to literacy, numeracy, punctuality, and health and family life education.
“This approach is highly recommended as it provides useful information to members of the National Assembly about the policy areas and modus operandi of both institutions,” she said.
PNCR MP, Cheryl Sampson, lauded the committee’s team work, but contended that while much was achieved, more could have been done.
She pointed out that visits to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) Port Mourant branch proved fruitful, and said that the committee looks forward to the management of this agency acting on the recommendations put forward by the committee for improvement of their services. (GINA)