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PAC meeting ends abruptly as APNU members stage walkout over Juan Edghill’s attendance
(Kaieteur News) – Proceedings at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) came to an abrupt halt on Monday at Public Buildings after APNU opposition members walked out in protest over the presence of Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill.
PAC Chairman, Vishnu Panday
The session, convened under the chairmanship of Vishnu Panday, began with a full quorum and proceeded through initial agenda items, including the adoption of previous meeting minutes and the circulation of documents. However, tensions erupted immediately during the opening review when opposition member Ganesh Mahipaul took the floor to object to Edghill’s participation.
APNU MP, Ganesh Mahipaul
Mahipaul argued that, in light of intense public scrutiny and national outrage surrounding the tragedy of the ill-fated MV Barima, Edghill should either recuse himself from the committee or be forced to leave. Fellow opposition member Juretha Fernandes quickly voiced support for the objection, calling for accountability regarding the ongoing controversy. Government member Gail Teixeira dismissed the intervention as procedurally out of order, maintaining that the committee was obligated to press forward with its scheduled mandate. After allowing the statements and attempting to restore order amidst cross-talking, chairman Vishnu Panday issued a formal ruling. While acknowledging the gravity of the public sentiment and the mounting pressure surrounding the MV Barima incident, Panday pointed directly to the limitations outlined in the PAC manual and parliamentary standing orders.
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill
“Members, the views and sentiments expressed by members Mahipaul and Fernandes find acceptance with me… However, upholding the PAC manual and procedures, no power nor authority is vested in me, the chairman, to either evict Edghill nor to compel him to recuse himself from the PAC,” Panday stated, adding that the honorable course of action would have been for Edghill to voluntarily step aside.
APNU MP, Juretha Fernandes
Panday further emphasised that the committee is currently facing a six-year backlog in reviewing auditor general reports, making continued scrutiny an urgent national priority. Refusing to accept the chairman’s procedural ruling, Mahipal and Fernandes staged an immediate walkout.
Because PAC regulations strictly require the physical presence of the chairman, at least two government members, and at least two opposition members to satisfy a quorum, the departure left the committee short of the required threshold. The session was forced into an immediate and premature adjournment.
Reflecting on the outcome, Panday noted that while he shares political alignment with calls for accountability, an uncoordinated walkout risks playing into the hands of the ruling administration. He suggested that a unified strategy, such as advance notice or a planned boycott of future sessions, would have maintained pressure on the government without prematurely collapsing a crucial oversight meeting.
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