Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, says he is encouraged by the support he has received from colleagues in Parliament for the private member’s motion he filed with Patrick Boamah, MP for Okaikoi Central, urging Parliament to reject the $28 million auto loan arrangement for legislators.
Many MPs have voiced their support for the cause since the resolution was submitted to the Speaker of Parliament, he added, and have promised to completely support it when it comes up for discussion on the floor of Parliament.
“Since I put out the article, I have received considerable support and I want to commend my colleague on their other side, Hon. Patrick Boamoah. A good number of MPs have expressed interest in supporting us… They have told us that when the motion is moved, they will speak in favour. I think the response so far is positive, and we want to believe that we can succeed in moving colleagues to reject this loan that the Finance Minister has laid in parliament,” Ablakwa said on Eyewitness News.
He claims that the Speaker of Parliament has accepted the proposal and designated it as an urgent motion to be discussed on Wednesday or Thursday.
“This motion will be discussed this week, either tomorrow [Wednesday] or Thursday. As a result, we are extremely humbled by the speaker’s sense of urgency and significance for this motion,” he said.
The North Tongu has underlined the need to replace the proposed vehicle loan for MPs with consolidated financial entitlements, as required by the constitution.
He said that they are supporting the proposal that MPs, like officials in other branches of government, be covered by the consolidated fund.
“That [car loan] arrangement should not continue. It is not in tandem with what happens to Article 71 officeholders,” he said, adding that he is confident of a positive debate when the motion is raised on the floor of the house.
The $28 million loan arrangement to Parliament for the purchase of cars for the 275 members of Parliament has sparked widespread outrage.
Each MP is anticipated to earn more than $100,000 for the purchase of a car based on the amount.
The government will cover 60% of the debt, including all accumulated interest, and MPs will cover the other 40%.
Mr. Ablakwa has previously urged his colleagues to reject the practice of the government providing loans to MPs for car purchases.
He believes that MPs, like everyone else, should be allowed to obtain private loans.
Mr. Ablakwa further said that the whole Article 71 emoluments system is in desperate need of reform.
Mr. Boamah, the Vice-Chairman of Parliament’s Finance Committee, proposed that the government explore establishing a carpool for MPs to utilize throughout their periods in office.
He further claimed that the public outcry over the loan was unjustified since MPs ultimately pay back some of the money spent on the automobiles, while colleagues in other branches of government have access to similar vehicles as a condition of their employment.
Source: CITINEWSROOM
