| – Meeting ends in disagreementBy Abena RockcliffeAFC’s Trevor WilliamsThe weekly Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting,Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys, held on Monday last, ended in disagreement as members who sit on the body in representation of the opposition,Zapatillas Nike Baratas Espa?a, rejected “frivolous” excuses put forward by members representing the government with regards to the nominees for the Public Procurement Commission.In light of this, Kaieteur News has learnt that uncertainty lurks as it relates to the way forward with the setting up of the Commission.The agenda for Monday’s meeting included the consideration of the nominees. However,Scarpe Air Max 97 Outlet, that proceeding was halted.Reports are that when the consideration process started, and government representatives were asked for their nominees, Advisor to the President, Gail Teixeira, told the committee that there are much more important issues that need to be addressed.Govt. PAC rep, Gail TeixeiraShe told the Committee that there were several issues discussed at the level of the tripartite meetings that the other Members of Parliament from the joint parliamentary opposition—A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC)—aren’t aware of. Her suggestion was that those matters be discussed instead of nominees for the Public Procurement Commission.However, APNU representatives Jaipaul Sharma and Keith Scott, AFC representative Trevor Williams and Committee Chairman Carl Greenidge, all rejected Teixeira’s suggestion.In an interview with Kaieteur News, Williams said that the stalled submission of the names for “such an important entity, cannot be taken easily” and that the public should be cognizant.Williams said that the PPP/C (People’s Progressive Party/ Civic) is finding every excuse to not submit its nominees and the AFC finds it unacceptable.“The Procurement Commission is a transparent body; why not put forward your nominees?”Williams told Kaieteur News that he fails to see the relevance of issues discussed at the level of the tripartite meetings, to the PAC.“Our job is to receive and review and we are answerable to the National Assembly.The MP added that he views Teixeira’s utterances as just another smokescreen to avoid dealing with what is important to Guyana for accountability and transparency. Williams opined that “there are few things that are more important than accountability and transparency, the people always need to know”.He told Kaieteur News that the AFC views the move by the government as setting a dangerous precedent.When contacted, PAC chairman, Carl Greenidge said that the Committee’s next move has not yet been decided.He pointed out that the committee was mandated by the National Assembly to consider the nominees,Wholesale Jerseys China, and he thinks that the next best thing is for the PAC to return to the House with the desired developments. He said that the PAC’s mandate was quite specific and the body is “committed to acting in the best interest of Guyana”.Chairman Carl Greenidge also pointed out that it is possible for the PAC to move on with the names that it has at its disposal. “So our move is to be decided,Superstar Shoes On Sale, but we can either proceed or report to the House what is going on.”He too said that Teixeira’s reasoning yesterday was “totally irrelevant.”Greenidge said that it is clear the government is not willing to submit its nominees because it hasn’t been assured that Cabinet will maintain its role in the process of approving or disapproving contacts.As it currently stands,Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale, after tenders are submitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, it is sent to Cabinet. That body then decides on who will be granted government contracts. With the implementation of the Procurement Commission,Wholesale World Cup Jerseys, that system will be adjusted and Cabinet will no longer hold that extent of control on the awarding of contracts. |
