Guyana: APNU Proposes Review of Constitutional Agencies’ Spending by PAC

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has put forward a proposal for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to review the spending of 16 constitutional agencies. This proposal is set to be discussed in a closed-door meeting scheduled for next Monday. APNU member Ganesh Mahipaul expressed concerns that the PAC has not previously examined the audited reports and statements of these agencies, which include various statutory bodies.

Mahipaul stated, “We will be seeking to request of the committee to begin to examine the reports of those agencies in keeping with its mandate.” He emphasized that the PAC’s role is to scrutinize accounts related to public expenditure and to review reports laid before the Assembly, along with the Auditor General’s findings.

PAC Chairman Vishnu Panday, representing the opposition We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), mentioned that he is in discussions with APNU to establish a work plan aimed at enhancing parliamentary transparency and accountability. He suggested that the PAC could meet two or three times a month, or potentially once a week, to address the backlog of work.

In April 2021, changes made by the ruling People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) to the committee’s quorum requirements have resulted in challenges for the PAC, as meetings cannot proceed without the presence of government members. Panday assured that all areas of expenditure would be considered during the PAC’s review.

Mahipaul also called for weekly meetings to address the backlog of Auditor General’s Reports that have not been reviewed over several years. He proposed that reports from 2020, 2021, and 2022 be considered simultaneously to streamline the process and reduce the burden on Accounting Officers.

He noted that the PAC has yet to complete reviewing parts of the 2019 Auditor General’s Report, highlighting the need for a more aggressive meeting schedule. Additionally, APNU plans to advocate for the establishment of the Public Procurement Commission (PPC), which would involve inviting applications and recommending nominees for approval by the National Assembly.

Mahipaul expressed hope that both WIN and the PPPC would support these initiatives, emphasizing the importance of accountability and governance in Guyana.

Source: demerarawaves.com