A MOTION paving the way for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to take into account all outstanding work of the previous committee was adopted in the National Assembly on Thursday.The motion was initially tabled by the PAC Chairman Irfaan Ali; however, in his absence on Thursday, Opposition Chief Whip Gail Teixeira explained that approval was being sought for the completion by PAC of key reports which were initiated at the level of the committee in the 10th Parliament.

According to the whereas clause, Standing Order 104(1) requires every Committee to submit a report to the National Assembly upon matters referred to it. However, the Public Accounts Committee, a Standing Committee of the National Assembly of the First Session of the 10th Parliament, was unable to complete its work owing to the prorogation and subsequent dissolution of the Parliament.
Nevertheless, Teixeira said, the PAC has been meeting, and has set a deadline at the end of March to conclude its proposition on nominations for the Public Procurement Commission (PPC).

The Opposition Chief Whip also used the opportunity to signal the PPP/C’s objection to the presence of government ministers on the PAC, contending that it is a conflict of interest.

Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, in her response, said the Government places strong attention on transparency and accountability.

“So the motion before us is one which will allow the PAC to continue its work with regards to presentations made by the past Speaker in laying the accounts of the Auditor General in this House. The Public Accounts Committee in Guyana stands unique within the region because, like no other public accounts committee, this public accounts committee does have oversight over the Audit Office,” she posited.

Motions allowing for the Economic Services Committee and the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Social Services to complete their work begun in the 10th Parliament were also passed on Thursday.