OPPOSITION Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales said yesterday the decision to replace People’s National Movement (PNM) Senator Janelle John-Bates on the Public Administration and Appropriations Committee (PAAC) was a “prudent” one.
This follows the disclosure that she assisted former health minister Terrence Deyalsingh in his response to the Committee’s enquiries into the procurement process for pharmaceuticals.
Members of the PAAC, including chairman House Speaker Jagdeo Singh, have noted the need for confidentiality and respect for due process.
The Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM), up to last evening, had not issued a statement on the matter, and Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles did not respond to efforts for a comment.
However, Gonzales told the Express via WhatsApp, “I think the leadership made a prudent decision in the circumstances to preserve the integrity of the PAAC proceedings and the traditions of the party, based on facts available at this time.”
Gonzales said the issue was still being investigated, and “it will be premature to anticipate how the matter will evolve”.
No replacement yet matter of John-Bates’ replacement and Gonzales stated “that’s for the political leader”.
The PNM’s executive council was expected to have met yesterday to decide John-Bates’ replacement on the Committee and whether she would remain as an Oppposition senator.
Apart from John-Bates, there are currently five PNM senators—Faris Al-Rawi, Dr Amery Browne, Foster Cummings, Vishnu Dhanpaul and Melanie Roberts-Radgman, one of whom may replace her on the Committee.
Sources confirmed to the Express yesterday that the Parliament had been notified and an announcement will be made at the next sitting of the Senate.
The next sitting of the Senate is next Tuesday at 1.30 p.m.
There has been no word on whether John-Bates will be replaced as a senator.
The PAAC is set to next meet on April 27 at 1 p.m.
Contacted yesterday, Singh declined comment, citing confidentiality.
The Committee has been investigating the importation, approval, and procurement processes of drugs, with recent focus on the issuance of special import permits, payments by the National Insurance Property Development Company (Nipdec), and allegations of regulatory abuse.
Deyalsingh, a key witness, was allegedly assisted by John-Bates and Al-Rawi, in drafting his statement to the Committee.
At a previous sitting, the Committee heard that Deyalsingh had instructed the procurement of millions of dollars in pharmaceuticals through particular companies.
A sitting of the Committee was adjourned on Monday.
The Committee adjourned its enquiry into “The State’s Acquisition of Pharmaceuticals as it Relates to the Current Processes Applicable to its Importation and Approval”, when it was found that John-Bates had assisted in editing Deyalsingh’s statement.
Following an in-camera session, the sitting opened to an apology from Singh for the adjournment.
The Committee chair acknowledged it was unusual to make a statement, but noted the particular enquiry had gained a significant public following.
Singh stated at the time, “I do not propose to go into the reasons why. All I can say is, to use a neutral phrase, it is regrettable but unavoidable, that we have to adjourn.”
