Dear Editor,
The uproarious noise by Government Members of Parliament that they do not want Opposition Member David Patterson to chair the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is much more than meet the eyes and this nation must be vigilant.
Some years ago in efforts to deepen and strengthen our political system, making it more representative and accountable to the people, reforms were made to the Constitution, notable of which are Article 13 that speaks to “inclusionary democracy” and the Ethnic and Rights Commissions. There were also reforms in the Legislature, with the support of allies in the international committee. Committees were established to function in a manner that would ensure the effectiveness of the Constitution, oversighting of the Executive, among others.
Those engaged in the parliamentary reform exercise felt it best for this nation’s peace, harmony and development to have some committees chaired by the opposition, serving as checks and balances on the Executive’s functions. The PAC is one such. The chair of said committee is designated to the opposition and it is for good reason. This issue about Patterson being before the court on charges of defrauding the state is not of concern to this regime, but it presents the cover to clamour for his removal.
Irfaan Ali was himself before the court on charges of defrauding the state even as he presided as Chair of the PAC in the last parliament when the People’s Progressive Party/Civic sat in the opposition. The PPP/C brings no moral authority to calling for Patterson’s removal. Neither do they have the authority to determine who should be the chair of the PAC because they are not of the opposition. The argument being made that they could seek to have the Standing Order amended to allow the government to determine who must chair the PAC would be a serious departure from the spirit and intent of the role of the opposition in parliamentary oversight of government spending, and making parliament less representative and accountable to the people. To use their one seat majority to cast a vote of no-confidence in Patterson is also similar in nature.
The opposition and society must strenuously resist any effort at making the Parliament more malleable to Government dictates that renders it more ineffective. If the Government is seriously disturbed by the charges brought against Patterson, which are before the court, then they must move to strengthen and/or institute systems to prevent reoccurrence and hold violators accountable. The fact that they have not done this, but keep insisting they take over a role designed for the opposition, is sufficient evidence to conclude this is not about Patterson’s conduct but something sinister.
For months the PAC has not sat or held hearings, depriving society of knowing how our tax dollars are being spent by the government and if they are being spent consistent with rules and laws. This regime apparently does not want this information public, and therefore, is moving the goalpost to keep society in the dark. We must resist this, regardless of our politics or apolitical disposition. Right is right and wrong is wrong. Where the function of the PAC is explicit and likewise the determination of who identifies the chair, it is to this nation’s benefit to stand consistent with these tenets and the spirit and intent of what the PAC was established to do. Transparency and Guyana’s development depend on maintaining the PAC as is.
Sincerely,
Lincoln Lewis.
