The Tribune

By LETRE SWEETING

Tribune Staff Reporter

lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

HOUSE Speaker Patricia Deveaux announced the composition of the House of Assembly’s seasonal committee yesterday as Parliament reopened.

The Public Accounts Committee, traditionally the most powerful committee, will consist of Marco City MP Michael Pintard, East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson, Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis, Bain and Grants Town MP Wayde Watson and South Beach MP Bacchus Rolle.

Mr Pintard objected to Mr Watson and Mr Rolle’s appointment to the Public Accounts Committee, saying they hold substantive government portfolios. He said committee members should be back-benchers. Mr Watson is the parliamentary secretary for the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and Mr Rolle is the parliamentary secretary for the Ministry of Works.

Speaker Deveaux said she would consider and address his concern at the next sitting.

Members of the House Management and Budget Committee are Fox Hill MP Fred Mitchell, Freetown MP Wayne Munroe, Pinewood MP Myles Laroda, Seabreeze MP Leslia Miller Brice, East Grand Bahama MP Kwasi Thompson, Long Island MP Adrian Gibson, St Barnabas MP Shanendon Cartwright and Speaker Deveaux.

The broadcasting committee comprises Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller, Mr Laroda, Pineridge MP Ginger Moxey, Mr Pintard and Mr Cartwright.

The House Rules and Business Committee would be made up of Mr Munroe, Fort Charlotte MP Alfred Sears, Nassau Village MP Jamahl Strachan, Mr Thompson and Mr White.

The Public Treasury Committee’s members will be Golden Gates MP Pia Glover-Rolle, Centreville MP Jomo Campbell, South Andros MP Leon Lundy, Mr Pintard and Mr Thompson.

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis announced that National Security Minister and Freetown MP Wayne Munroe would be the new leader of government Business, replacing Obie Wilchcombe, who died last week. Golden Gates MP Pia Glover-Rolle will be his deputy.