A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on Friday demanded a full independent explanation from the Parliament Office over the failure to properly notify Opposition Members of Parliament (MP) about a meeting with a visiting Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Validation Team, arguing that an apology from the Clerk of the National Assembly does not adequately address concerns surrounding transparency and parliamentary accountability.

“This was not an ordinary meeting. EITI Validation is an international assessment of Guyana’s transparency, accountability, stakeholder engagement, and governance of its oil, gas, mining and other extractive sectors. In a country now defined by vast petroleum wealth, every Guyanese has a right to know whether national institutions are allowing independent voices to be heard,” the partnership stated.

The controversy stems from a June 11 engagement between Opposition MPs and the EITI Validation Team, which is conducting an international assessment of Guyana’s management of its oil, gas and mining sectors. According to reports, the Guyana EITI Secretariat requested that all Members of Parliament be invited to meet with the visiting assessors. While Government MPs reportedly received timely notification, Opposition MPs said they were informed only hours before the meeting or learned of it through unofficial channels.