The Minority in Parliament has raised red flags about the conspicuous absence of the government’s 2022 financial bills from considerations of the estimates including the infamous electronic transaction levy (E-levy) next week.
Parliament is expected to adjourn sine die next Friday with committees set to get busy with estimates of the various ministries and agencies for the Appropriation to be passed.
However, failure to present the financial bills along with the estimates for consideration by committees next week has raised eyebrows among members of the Minority.
Deputy Minority Whip and MP for Banda, Ibrahim Ahmed expressed concern on Friday after stand-in Majority leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin had presented the Business Statement to the House.
He cautioned the Minority Caucus will not countenance any attempt by the government to pass the Appropriation Bill without the financial bills including the E-levy.
He pointed out that Parliament will be considering the estimates next week and stressed these should usually be taken together with the financial bills of the government.
“Mr. Speaker, in the Business Statement for Monday through to Friday next week, conspicuously missing are the financial bills including the electronic transaction bill.”
“These are bills that the public has a lot of interest in and the House itself.”
“These would have to be laid and referred to the appropriate committees for consideration and report to the house to enable us to approve or disapprove the Appropriation Bill,” he said.
The Banda MP argued that the process is long and tedious and noted the fact these have not been captured in the business statement for the week ending 17th December 2021 is disturbing.
He said, “To bring a business statement that this is what we are going to do next week and pass the Appropriation on Friday without saying anything about the financial bills, including the electronic transaction bill, Mr. Speaker, I’m a bit confused.”
“I want clarity from the leader of government business when is the Electronic Transaction Bill and the other financial bills going to be presented to this house for us to work on them.”
“We wouldn’t want to wait till Friday then these reports are brought to the House to be passed under a certificate of urgency,” he said.
In his curt response to the Deputy Minority Whip’s concerns, Hon Afenyo-Markin stated all steps are being taken to ensure the E-levy is brought to the House on time.
Source: MyPublisher24.com