Brace up to sit for long – Speaker to MPs

Alban Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament has told Members of Parliament (MPs) to psyche themselves for hard work and long sitting hours.

Bagbin said the second meeting of the eighth Parliament promises to be very busy since the House is expected to consider and pass into law some important bills.

“It is true, Like, medical practitioners there is no rest for an MP…I can only urge members to psyche up for hard work and long sitting hours.”

The Speaker made the remark when Parliament resumed sitting after a long break where MPs visited their constituents to engage the people in the communities and prepared to defend the interest of the people.

He said that apart from Parliament seeing to an early passage of the new Standing Orders, the legislature is likely to consider and passed into law some critical Bills.

These include the Petroleum Management Amendment Bill 2021, the Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2020, The Exemptions Bill 2021, and some Private Members Bills whiles the House awaits the presentation of the Affirmative Action Bill which is currently before Cabinet.

He said some Private Members Motions, International Agreements, Treaties, and Conventions also await the consideration of the House.

Speaker Bagbin also informed the House that during the recess he approved the request of some Committees to reach out to some regions and State institutions to perform oversight duties.

He said the Committees of Local Government and Rural Development, Environment, Science and Technology, and Works and Housing visited various regions of the country to inspect some projects to interact with public officials and sections of the society.

The Public Accounts Committee and the Lands and Forestry Committee also had sessions in the sector Ministries, Commissions, Agencies, and Departments under their jurisdiction.

He commended the leadership and members of these Committees for their tenacity of purpose and called on the other Committees to do the same.

Speaker Bagbin urged MPs and Staff of Parliament to continue to observe the COVID-19 protocols since the country is not out of the woods yet.

 He said though some MPs and staff were able to take the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine a few days ago, this does not give them total immunity against the disease.

He said he is highly informed that the two doses of vaccines provide only 75% immunity and therefore urged members to observe the necessary COVID-19 protocols.

He said the figures from the second vaccine administered indicate that 109 MPs, 164 management staff, and 419 other members of staff availed themselves for the second dose.

He said judging from the staff strength and membership of the House it is clear that there are more MPs and staff who are yet to take the second dose.

He assured that arrangements are being made for MPs and staff to complete the dose required to be fully vaccinated.

Haruna Iddrisu, Minority Leader in his contribution called the Majority Leader to endeavour to work for consensus where necessary in the public interest.

He repeated his call that the Minority side would not be an obstruction to government policy but would rather be constructive nevertheless were necessary they would be uncompromising in their stands.

Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, Majority Leader in his contribution stated that the agenda for the House in the second meeting would be packaged and so members must gear up for that.

He said the House is expected to consider and passed some legislative Bills, Private Members Bills and Motions, the Affirmative action Bill and many agreements which would come to Parliament.

He urged members to re-dedicate themselves to the business of the House in the second meeting which is likely to be herculean since they have a tall order of business to transact.

Source: GNA