SEVERAL members of the People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) have refuted claims that Public Accounts Committee (PAC) member, Ganesh Mahipaul, is set to be replaced by fellow Parliamentarian Volda Lawrence.

Mahipaul is currently among eight A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) parliamentarians who were suspended from parliamentary activities over their behaviour in the House in December 2021.

Mahipaul has been suspended from four consecutive Sittings of the National Assembly. This affects his participation in the public accounts committee.

However, Chairman of the PAC, Jermaine Figueira confirmed that there was no current plan to have Mahipaul replaced.

“At this point in time, Mahipaul being replaced is not a position that I am aware of. As it is, he remains a member of the Public Accounts Committee and at this time I can’t say that has changed,” Figueira stated in a telephone interview with this publication.

When contacted Mahipaul also noted that he was unaware of any intention to replace him and said he would not be commenting any further on the issue.

“I am unaware of such. I have no comments with reference to the Public Accounts Committee and its membership,” Mahipaul said.

Lawrence, who had previously served as a member of the PAC, said she does not know of any arrangement to have her replace Mahipaul on the PAC.

“I have not been notified by my party about such. I’m at a loss, I don’t know anything about this,” Lawrence said.

The PAC is a standing committee established at the commencement of the life of each Parliament.

The PAC is responsible for examining the audited accounts presented in the Auditor General’s Report.