The Speaker of Parliament, Prof. Aaron Mike Oquaye, has deferred the debate on the agreements tabled by government for the construction of the Pwalugu Multipurpose Dam.
The debate will rather be held next Tuesday, February 11, 2020.
The Rt. Hon. Speaker announced the decision in a ruling after hostilities resumed in the chamber today over whether the procedure for the consideration of the agreements was right.
“The Minority Leader talks about not being able to participate even as we speak today. I will say I trust that will not happen because that will be another boycott approach, which I will not recommend,” the Speaker said his address.
Speaker Ocquaye urged the legislators to prepare adequately for the debate with the extra time given.
“I adjourn this matter to Tuesday for any member who wants to do any research, any analysis or presentation whatsoever to get himself or herself fully prepared,” he declared.
The Minority in Parliament, led by the NDC, had threatened to boycott debates on the matter and demanded the withdrawal of the agreements.
Three agreements amounting to US$993 million are currently before the House pending approval.
The Minority resisted the approval process before Parliament went on recess in 2019 to pave way for the requisite due diligence on the deal.
However, the Majority has defended the deal, saying the Minority’s concerns are misplaced.