Guyana: PAC Faces Delays in Reviewing 2019 Spending Report Amid Attendance Issues

Members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) are facing challenges in their efforts to review the 2019 Auditor General’s Report, as government MPs have reportedly been absent from meetings, hindering the committee’s ability to reach quorum. APNU Members of Parliament Juretha Fernandes and Ganesh Mahipaul expressed their concerns during a recent press conference.

Fernandes noted that the newly elected chair of the PAC called for its first meeting shortly after their election, but attendance issues have persisted. Despite attempts to convene meetings on multiple days, the committee has struggled to gather enough members to proceed. Staff from the National Assembly have since requested that MPs provide their availability for future meetings.

Both Fernandes and MP Volda Lawrence-Michael have indicated their willingness to attend meetings, whether in person or virtually. Fernandes emphasized that accountability should be prioritized and not treated as secondary to other parliamentary business. She criticized government members for not making time for meetings, despite the option for virtual attendance.

As the PAC nears completion of its review of the 2019 report, it faces the additional task of examining reports from 2020 through 2024. Fernandes highlighted that the 2024 Auditor General’s Report has already been submitted, indicating a backlog of reports that need attention.

Mahipaul supported Fernandes’ statements, recalling previous warnings from APNU MPs regarding changes to quorum rules that could impede the PAC’s efficiency. He noted that the opposition had raised concerns about the potential for the government to control the pace of the committee’s work through these changes. Mahipaul reiterated that the absence of government MPs is obstructing the PAC’s ability to address current audit reports and scrutinize public spending.

Source: hgptv.com