2012 budget is meer talk- NPP MPs
Members of Parliament continued discussions on the 2012 budget statement presented to the House two weeks ago. Issues that dominated yesterday’s debate included the provision of adequate energy and water supply as well as pliable roads for the country.
The 2012 budget statement read by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr Kwabena Duffuor, provides for the commissioning of the first unit of 133 megawatts out of power production in the energy sector as a medium term.
The provision forms part of government efforts to further expand the power generation capacity from 2,000MW to 5,000MW.
The budget also allows for the provision of 4,000 new boreholes countrywide. Members of the minority however have little belief in this provision explaining that it is mere talk.
Member of Parliament for Okai Kwei South, Nana Akomea said on the floor of Parliament that, “The problem of inadequate water for our industries, for our homes is not addressed in this budget. This budget does not address the fundamental problem of constant electricity supply for our homes and industries. It doesn’t address the fundamental problem of interest rate which is above 20 per cent.”
But MP for Ningo Prampram Enoch Teye Mensah thought that Mr. Akomea is too young in the business of parliament to be able to understand certain things.
Member of Parliament for Tain, Ahmed Ibrahim, drew serious criticism from the minority when he suggested that the budget has adequate provision for the EC to aid it conduct a biometric voting and verification in the country’s next elections.
MP for Old Tafo, Anthony Akoto Osei responded to Ahmed Ibrahim that, “the electoral commissioner himself has indicated to us that he requires 20 million dollars which translates to 32 million Ghana cedis just for the procurement of verification equipment. How does he justify what the electoral commissioner himself has said with the provision of 27.3 million to the electoral commission for the biometric exercise, the provision of verification equipment and the conduct of presidential and parliamentary elections?”
For others, provision for routine maintenance of roads, a critical area, is missing in the 2012 budget. Debate on the document continues, Wednesday November 30, 2011.
By: Aisha Ibrahim, e.tv Ghana
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