The Minority in Parliament has shot down a $250 million loan from the World Bank.
The facility which was meant for the Energy Sector Recovery Programme was supposed to be approved on the final day of sitting given the consensus reached by the Finance Committee.
However, Member of Parliament (MP) for Asawase Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak flagged an allocation of $94 million for consultancy services questioning its justification.
“I just don’t understand why some of this money is not going to empower our Universities like KNUST Electrical Department and this money that we are talking about can help the Universities to produce our meters.
“I will want to beg that we stop this thing and get details. But to dedicate $94 million out of $250 why? You are giving us the money with your right hand and taking it back with your left hand”, Mr. Mubarak stated.
His concerns were supported by the MP for North Tongu Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
“I have read through the report and I don’t see that where can we find the 75 million dollars that will be used to procure meters? We cannot approve $250 million and about 90 million dollars is going into consultancy.
“That is what you have brought here, what you are telling us is not before us, so let’s see some evidence to that effect, we cannot take your word for it”, Mr. Ablakwa stated.
Explanations from the majority side led by the chairman of the finance committee Patrick Yaw Boamah did very little to convince the National Democratic Congress (NDC) MPs who subsequently voted against the facility.
The development generated some back and forth between the speaker and the majority side consequently culminating in the speaker adjourning the house indefinitely.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM
