The Majority in Parliament has insisted the controversial E-levy would be approved sometime next week without too many problems.
According to the caucus, the levy will eventually be passed by consensus following government’s decision to engage and deepen consultation, which has shown very positive signs.
Deputy Majority Alexander Afenyo-Markin who disclosed this during an interview on Friday 28th January 2022 said Parliament has already approved the Budget and the Appropriation, which were done by consensus.
“What is left is the revenue stream to help deal with expenditure on these critical areas. We’ve been pursuing an agreement that has so far been positive but suffice it to say that has not been conclusive,” he stated.
Parliament on Friday failed to take the E-levy bill, which was expected to be the major piece of business in the House for the day.
Expectation built up the entire day but when the House eventually convened at 5:00 pm, Majority leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu stated he was waiting for an ‘indication’ to present the Bill and if that failed, then it would be considered on 1st February 2022.
His proposal for a one-hour suspension halfway through the sitting was vehemently rejected by the Minority and the House eventually adjourned to Tuesday without touching the levy.
Hon. Afenyo-Markin who addressed the media afterwards stated that E-levy is important legislation that would help the government get the needed revenue.
“The Majority caucus has deployed its membership across the nation to engage so Ghanaians will appreciate where we come from.”
“There are two things that government seeks to do with this levy; to fix the road sector and also tackle the unemployment situation.
He said, “For the road sector, we all know it is insufficiently funded. We cannot rely on what comes in to pay contractors, and if you look at road tolls you are looking at around six-seven million a month.”
The Deputy leader argued that despite this paltry sum, demand on the government to fix roads across the country has continued to mount along with youth unemployment
The government, he said, wants to tackle these matters and stressed the e-levy is part of the important steps to take to deal with these two major issues in the country.
Source: Mypublisher24.com
