PNP’s Challenge With Oversight Committees Continues

PNP's

The People’s National Party (PNP) continues to challenge the Government’s decision to take chairmanship of several Oversight Committees of Parliament. The Party is reiterating its call for the immediate reinstatement of the Opposition’s Chairmanship of all sessional committees.

Leader of Opposition business in the House of Representatives, Phillip Paulwell refers to the Government’s change as disingenuous and unfair.

Since the Government’s announcement on retaking Chairmanship of four key sessional Parliamentary Committees, several civil society groups and anti-corruption agencies have come forward, objecting the move.

Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives, Phillip Paulwell states that the position undermines the best practices of maintaining a high standard of accountability.

The overturn of the practice comes on the basis that the Opposition has been neglecting their responsibilities. He adds that this is not the first attempt by the Government to curtail the oversight of the Opposition.

Paulwell says the Party will meet with the Government to do a comprehensive review on the matter. The Opposition is calling on the Government to provide support, in terms of space and secretarial staffing.

According to Golding, the Public Accounts Committee and the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee are given priority because of the constitutional importance.

CVM LIVE‘s Robian Williams reports: