![](https://continuedpovertyisnotanoption.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Parliament_Building_-300x225.jpg)
This September, the 12th Parliament established fourteen committees. CONPOV views these committees as a crucial collective force in any real effort to prevent, expose and penalize government corruption, lawlessness, and bungling. The more the government feels it is beyond scrutiny and penalty, the more it will ride roughshod over the rights and endowment of Guyanese.
Of the fourteen committees, CONPOV will be watching four in particular: (i) the Public Accounts Committee (which has oversight over all government spending), (ii) the Economic Services Sectoral Committee (responsible for the scrutiny of government economic policies/programs), (iii) the Social Services Sectoral Committee (responsible for the scrutiny of all government social policies and programs), and (iv) the Constitution Reform Committee.
The effectiveness of these committees as bulwarks against bad governance will depend, first and foremost, on the opposition having a parliamentary strategy and, secondly, on the calibre of the opposition MPs who sit on them. As regards calibre, the decision by PNCR leader Granger to overhaul the list of PNCR MPs remains controversial. It is good that several of the new faces are young people. Can they deliver both at the strategic and operational levels? Or will the PPP be allowed to escape with mayhem and murder? The livelihoods of many Guyanese are at stake if the coalition and its MPs fail. However, should this young batch prove they are up to it, the future promises much for the PNCR, APNU, AFC and the Coalition. CONPOV will be watching.