The N.T.U.C.B. lashes back at G.O.B.’s refusal of PAC restructuring

On Tuesday, the People’s United Party issued a declaration condemning government’s refusal to even consider the restructuring of the Public Accounts Committee. It was in response to a release from the office of Prime Minister Dean Barrow last week. That release rejected the proposed restructuring of PAC as contrary to the Standing Orders of the House. Additionally, the release made note that to restructure the PAC would make the committee top-heavy and committee meetings would become prohibitively expensive. And finally, the PM’s statement offered a schedule for future meetings of the PAC using the government’s majority in the absence of Chairman Julius Espat’s support or presence. The National Trade Union Congress of Belize has taken serious issue with that release from the PM. Today that congress issued a scathing release of its own, knocking down the PM’s assertions one by one. Firstly, the N.T.U.C.B. claims that contrary to what the PM is stating, the PAC as it stands now does NOT truly reflect the Standing Orders. They state that the Standing Orders dictate that committees should reflect the balance of parties in the House. The release states that, (Quote) “beyond any shadow of a doubt PAC’s composition MUST be addressed to align it with the very Standing Orders with which it should legally conform.” (Unquote) Secondly, the N.T.U.C.B. takes issue with the PM’s assertion that committee meetings would be rendered prohibitively expensive by the restricting of the PAC. And thirdly, the N.T.U.C.B. addresses the P.M.’s intention to move PAC meetings without the presence of the Chairman. The release states that, (Quote) “even though the Standing Orders may make provision “in moving the PAC meeting forward without the Chairman, this would go against the very spirit and principles of the Standing orders, that is, transparency, democracy and accountability.” (Unquote) The N.T.U.C.B. then takes a jab at the PM, stating that even if the Standing Orders do not presently provide for the restructuring of the PAC, there is precedence where constitutional changes are concerned – like when government did so to accommodate the nationalization of companies.