Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) and shadow Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Mr. Ganesh Mahipaul, has called on the government to respond to the recommendations of the Public Accounts Committee by tabling the expected Treasury Memorandum as is required under the Standing Orders.
In a statement Sunday, MP Mahipaul, says it has been 117 days since the adoption of the report, and the Government has yet to table its Treasury Memorandum, as required by Standing Order 82 (3). Standing order 82 (3) specifies that within 90 days of the presentation of a report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the Government shall table its Treasury Memorandum, as its response thereto.
Mahipaul pointed out that “The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) presented, debated, and adopted a report on the audited public accounts of Guyana for the year 2016 during the 51st sitting of the National Assembly on the 30th November, 2022.”
However, it has been over 117 days since the adoption of the report, and the Government has yet to table its Treasury Memorandum, as required by Standing Order 82 (3). This blatant disregard for the Standing Orders of the Parliament of Guyana is unacceptable, and it highlights the Government’s lack of commitment to transparency and accountability,” Mahipaul said.
“By failing to take the necessary action on the recommendations contained in the PAC report, the Government is failing to fulfill its responsibilities and obligations to the people of Guyana,” the Opposition Member of Parliament declared.
It was noted that the PAC report contains several recommendations aimed at improving the guardrails of democracy and enhancing transparency and accountability in Guyana. However, the Government’s inaction on these recommendations indicates a disregard for the principles of good governance.
Mahipaul pointed out that “this raises serious concerns about the Government’s commitment to serving the people of Guyana and upholding the rule of law. Furthermore, the recurring issues of accountability and transparency highlighted in the Auditor General reports of 2020 and 2021 are a cause for alarm.”
He charged that “the Government’s failure to adhere to the laws of Guyana, including the Fiscal Management and Accountability Act of 2003, the Procurement Act of 2003, and the Stores Regulation, is a betrayal of the public trust.
Mahipaul said “the people of Guyana deserve a government that is committed to transparency and accountability in the management of public funds. It is imperative that the Government take swift action to address the recommendations of the PAC report, as well as the issues highlighted in the Auditor General reports.”
“This, he said, “includes tabling the Treasury Memorandum in a timely manner, and taking concrete steps to improve accountability and transparency. The failure of the Government to act in accordance with the law and to address issues of accountability and transparency is a threat to the integrity of the Government and the trust of the people of Guyana.”
“The Government must act now and uphold the values of transparency and accountability that are essential to a healthy democracy,” Mahipaul declared. (extracted and edited from WiredJA).
