PAC forms in Opposition’s absence in HoA
It was therefore an ironic twist when the PAC was formed at the Fifth Sitting of the First Session of the Fifth House of Assembly on October 31, 2023, but the all-male Opposition was nowhere to be found.
Opposition shirked its responsibility?
Earlier, the Opposition, led by Honourable Ronnie W. Skelton (AL), had walked out of the House of Assembly after it lost a vote on a motion moved by the government side for the reordering of the Order Paper. This meant that the lengthy Question and Answer (Q&A) segment would be pushed to the end of the Order Paper.
A number of bills were subsequently passed, including the Virgin Islands Trade Commission Act (Suspensory) Act, 2023; the Magistrate’s Code of Procedure (Amendment) Act, 2023; and the motion to approve a sum of money in the Schedule of Additional Provisions No. 3 of 2023, with the Opposition choosing not to give any contribution to the bills and motions.
A motion was also successfully moved for the PAC to form, and it consists of all six of the Opposition Members, with Leader of the Opposition Hon Ronnie W. Skelton (AL) as the Chairman.
‘We’ll have to pass [PAC] on our own’- Premier
Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said government understands that the role of the Public Accounts Committee is very important in holding the Government accountable, especially as it pertains to how money is being spent in the territory and that the current administration does not shy away from the scrutiny of a Public Accounts Committee.
“We always had intentions that the Public Accounts Committee would come back after we settle the question of who could be on the Public Accounts Committee, which is a matter still under active consideration.
“But, of course, it was never our intention to stifle the work of the Public Accounts Committee and here we are, we’ll have to pass it on our own…without the help of Opposition Members present. But that doesn’t matter because we have a responsibility to ensure that we maintain good governance, accountability, transparency and we recognise, of course, that there must be checks and balances against the power of the Government,” Dr Wheatley commented.
PAC is ‘rightfully’ headed by Opposition Leader- Premier
Premier Wheatley also said he welcomed the PAC and was also pleased to know that the PAC is “rightfully” headed by the Leader of the Opposition and not a Minister of Government.
"So we look forward to the Public Accounts Committee doing their work without bias, without mischief-making but doing it with integrity and always keeping in mind the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands," Dr Wheatley stated.
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9 Responses to “PAC forms in Opposition’s absence in HoA”
Have to give Sowande and his adviser credit, they very smart, " Not honest" Very smart. They out gaming the opposition...We have a really tricky govt, not progressive but smart and tricky bad.