Speaker cautioned leaders of majority and minority in expense of delaying Parliamentary work

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban S. K Bagbin has cautioned the leadership of the majority and minority groups in Parliament to desist from attempts to unduly delay the works of some Committees of Parliament.

According to the Speaker, the development had stalled a number of parliamentary businesses and made it difficult for the House to perform its oversight role.

“While it is the duty of all committees, to give the matters referred to its due and sufficient consideration, such consideration should not be the expense of the delaying Parliamentary work”, He said.

The Speaker gave the caution when he delivered a formal communication to the House during todays proceedings in the chamber.

The Constitution does not provide a time frame within which a committee must complete its work, except in instances of a Bill introduced by or on behalf of the President.

Under these circumstances, Article 106(14) of the Constitution requires that such a bill must not be delayed for more than three months in any committee of Parliament.

Speaker Bagbin further bemoaned the absence of committee minutes at the conclusion of deliberations and charged committee Clerks to be guided by Order 212(2) of the Standing Orders of parliament.

He warned that Cluster heads of the committee groupings will be held directly responsible for absence of minutes and same he added will be treated as dereliction of duty.

The MP’s earlier today where expecting the minister of Roads and some other minister to respond to question that will keep them on check but did not avail due to absence of those ministers.

The MP for Asawase, Alhaji Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka has put before the speaker the absence of the minister will affect this weeks business statment of the house. He added the speaker and the house should take it in consideration as he noted even the permission written by those ministers where not sign by them.

Source: Otixpres.com