AFC MP David Patterson has been named as part of the parliamentary delegation scheduled to travel to the US this month to study the Nebraska Legislature.

After a dispute between the PNCR-1G and the AFC over the opposition nominees, the main opposition party has amended its list of candidates for the trip in order to make room for a representative of the smaller party. Initially, the PNCR-1G nominated four of its members to represent the opposition on the trip, leading to a complaint by the AFC, which said it was entitled to participate. The dispute culminated in a special meeting of the Parliamentary Manage-ment Committee (PMC), where Speaker of the National Assembly Ralph Ramkarran urged an amicable settlement that would take cognisance of the need for inclusivity. According to Standing Order 93 (1), “Every Selection Committee shall be so constituted as to ensure as far as possible that the balance of parties in the Assembly is reflected in the Committee.” Subsequently, on Thursday Patterson, who is a member of the Public Accounts Committee, was identified by the AFC as its representative on the mission. The eight-member delegation will comprise four PPP/C MPs, three PNCR-1G MPs and one AFC MP.

Last Friday, the AFC said it was firmly of the view that there was a collaborative PPP/C and PNCR-1G effort to deny it an opportunity to meaningfully participate in the business of parliament. The party said it had reason to complain in the past about the exclusion of its members from committees as alternates, the removal of AFC and GAP-ROAR representatives from the programme of the recently concluded parliamentary symposium involving MPs from the UK Parliament, and now the Nebraska dispute. The AFC has noted that at the commencement of the Ninth Parliament, MPs were informed that political party representation on committees, delegations and the like would be accorded on a proportionate basis. In this vein, it felt the rule was not being observed.

The PNCR responded in a statement on Monday, where it defended its record of always being willing to collaborate with others. It noted that during the last parliamentary session it had regular consultation and collaboration with all opposition parties as part of the Joint Parliamentary Opposition of Guyana.