Newly elected Chairman of the Parliamentary Sectoral Committee on Economic Services, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) Member of Parliament (MP) Duarte Hetsberger, says that because several matters remain unresolved from the previous parliamentary cycle, plans are being made to intensify the committee’s work during the Opposition’s one-year tenure as head.
While a date has not yet been set for the first meeting, Hetsberger told Kiskadee Watch on June 17 that he has already started work to be able to maximise his time as chairman.
“The chairmanship for this committee is annual so that next year, a government representative will head it. It’s not a permanent fixture,” he explained.
“I received some copies of the last two minutes that I’m going through. I am supposed to have a discussion with the Clerk of the Committee so we can chart a way forward,” he shared, adding, “Based on what I’ve seen in the minutes so far, on just a quick scan through, there are a lot of unresolved issues from the last election cycle.”
He said he will discuss with his party heads the areas of focus to be taken by the committee and a date will subsequently be set for the first meeting, which he anticipates will happen sooner rather than later.
“We have just one year to bring attention to what is going on in the country right now,” he noted. “In our parliament life so far, we see a reluctance on the government’s side to meet. From all information we received, most of those committees hardly met in the last life of the parliament,” Hetsberger observed.
Last Monday, Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir convened a meeting for the election of chairpersons to eight parliamentary committees. These elections had been delayed for months, and this had sparked public consternation.
WIN MP Vishnu Panday was appointed Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), while Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall SC was elected Chairman of the Constitutional Reform Committee.
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira was chosen to head the Committee on Appointments, and Prime Minister Mark Phillips was appointed Chairman of the Security Sector Committee.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr Vindhya Persaud was appointed Chairperson of the Social Services Committee, Opposition MP Odessa Primus was chosen to head the Foreign Relations Committee, and Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat was elected Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee.
While several MPs commented on the smooth and efficient process in which the appointments were made, common complaints from them included the backlog of matters plaguing the PAC, the infrequent meetings that are called, and the absenteeism of committee members, especially those representing the government.
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