Member of Parliament for North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa is shocked some of his colleagues are supporting the proposed 200 million-dollar new chamber for members of parliament.
According to him, such a proposal at a time when their constituents are in need of basic amenities is a misplaced priority.
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MPs have incurred the wrath of Ghanaians who have opposed the proposed chamber.
Already, there is a campaign on social media urging the citizens to breath down the neck of the Parliamentary Service to rescind their decision.
Reacting to the social media campaign, the Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Alban Badgin warned campaigners and the public against discourteous commentary that he claims erodes the parliamentary institution as a pillar of democracy.
But speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Wednesday, Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa blamed the Parliamentary Service Board for the public backlash.
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He revealed that the proposed new chamber has never come up for discussion at plenary hence, he finds it difficult to understand why MPs were not informed about the decision before the plan was unveiled to the media.
“We were not aware of this new chamber so the criticisms are unfair. Parliamentary Service Board has not been fair to us,” he fumed.
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Rather, the North Tongu MP said he would have preferred that the money be used to beef up research staff of MPs, construct simple MP offices across the country to improve interactions with constituents.
This, he said, will address concerns by constituents that they do not get to see their MPs.
Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa said MPs could not be blamed because they have not signed to any document authorizing the construction of a new chamber for MPs.
Source: Ghana|Adomonline.com|Adwoa Gyasiwaa Agyeman
