Gov't, opposition clash on oversight plan for hurricane recovery

 

The parliamentary opposition has rejected an invitation for its members to participate in a Joint Select Committee of Parliament to give oversight in Hurricane Melissa national relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts. 

 

The intention to form the committee was announced by Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness during his presentation in the House of Representatives last Tuesday. 

 

But speaking during this Tuesday's sitting of the House, Leader of Government Business Floyd Green disclosed that he had received an email from the Leader of Opposition Business, Phillip Paulwell, outlining the opposition's position. 

 

Mr. Green read the contents of the email and his response to Mr. Paulwell in the House. 

 

He said Mr. Paulwell indicated that the Joint Select Committee was not necessary and appropriate at this time. 

 

The opposition said it would be duplicating and usurping the functions of the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee, which includes examining budgetary expenditure of government agencies and other public bodies. 

 

"Considering the above, we strongly urge the government to allow the existing arrangements for oversight in all aspects of the works related to Hurricane Melissa recovery be maintained," the letter read. 

 

In responding to Mr. Paulwell, the Leader of Government Business said the reversal in position was concerning and disappointing.

 

"The Prime Minister's decision to establish a Joint Select Committee was aimed at fostering national consensus and unity, and in direct response to the opposition's public call for greater oversight. The precidents for this approach was established during the COVID-19 pandemic when a similar oversight committee was appointed to consider the COVID-19 pandemic and related matters. It is therefore both perplexing and troubling that the opposition now appears to be retreating from its own stated position," Mr. Green asserted.

 

The Leader of Government Business said the Joint Select Committee will not proceed and oversight on Hurricane Melissa efforts will be provided through the existing committees of Parliament.

 

But the People's National Party has clarify its position on the government's plan for a Joint Select Committee of Parliament to oversee Hurricane Melissa relief.

 

In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, the PNP said it has consistently called for a broad-based national task force bringing together government, opposition, private sector and civil society, to ensure transparency and accountability in relief distribution. 

 

The PNP said Opposition Leader Mark Golding wrote to Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness on October 29 urging such a task force and reiterated his call at a press conference on November 3. 

 

Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives Phillip Paulwell said he is extremely disappointed with Leader of Government Business Floyd Green for raising the matter in Parliament "knowing fully well I had stepped out of the chamber and could not respond". 

 

"He was disingenuous because he failed to communicate to the Parliament the full extent of the correspondence that was shared. I wrote to him on the 7th of November, expressing our view that it was unnecessary for there to be a Joint Select Committee of the Parliament to provide oversight on the expenditures in relation to Hurricane Melissa. It's unnecessary because we already have the PAAC, which is chaired by the opposition and we would do nothing to undermine that role," he explained.

 

The PNP said a proposal for a unified task force was never intended to be a parliamentary committee, as such a body would be constrained by the procedural and scheduling limitations inherent to Parliament. 

 

It said the PAAC is already empowered under Standing Order 73A to examine budgetary expenditure, monitor spending and provide such oversight. 

 

Mr. Paulwell said the party again wrote to Mr. Green on November 9, providing further clarity for a national body to conduct further oversight.

 

"The Minister did not reveal this letter in his discussion in Parliament yesterday and we believe that that is wrong. I intend now to publish all the correspondence so you can see that the opposition's position is quite clear and unequivocal," Mr. Paulwell declared. 

 

The party said it remains committed to good governance and fair relief distribution but will not support any mechanism that centralises control and undermines existing structures.