Motion passed to assert Gov’t representation at all PAC meetings

Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill (Photo: DPI/April 14, 2022)

“So don’t come to me with that holier than thou attitude, I am not accepting it,” the minister said in the House.

She also emphasised that there was no effort to delay the work of the PAC.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Jermaine Figueira said he was not persuaded by the minister’s reasoning and accused the government of having a sinister motive.

The reasoning of several other Opposition MPs who made contributions to the debate on Wednesday advanced the same theme in their arguments.

Making a contribution to the ensuing debate before the passage of the motion, Minister of Public Works and PAC member Juan Edghill said Figueira’s comments in the House justify the motion.

Edghill said it was Figueira who at recent sittings of the PAC allowed agencies to be scrutinised by the former APNU+AFC government when PPP/C MPs were not present.

“What this motion is doing is seeking to prevent the abuse of privilege,” he said.

The debate continued for well over four hours with several MPs from both the government and opposition side contributing; it also saw Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton and Volda Lawrence speaking for the first time since they took the Oath of Office on Wednesday.

Notwithstanding the Opposition’s challenge to the motion, it was passed at 21:58hrs with a government majority (34/29) on Wednesday night.

Deputy Speaker Lenox Shuman, who is a member of the parliamentary opposition, voted yes for the passage of the motion.

Opposition MP and member of the PAC David Patterson was not present for the vote along with another MP.