NDC cautions Minority MPs of consequences against support of new parliament chamber

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has cautioned its Members of Parliament (MPs) against supporting the proposed parliament chamber, and will take serious actions against any of their MPs who may support the idea.

The party is against the proposed construction of a new 450-seater chamber for legislators because it does not think the nation needs a new parliamentary chamber.

Asiedu Nketia, the General Secretary of the NDC, made this known when he addressed the media at a press conference and stated that the party had communicated its position to all the MPs.

 “If you go to support it, there will be dire consequences because the party had earlier issued a statement it will be “unconscionable in the face of these challenges for President Akufo Addo to spend $200 million on parliamentary chamber at a time when one already exists and serving the needs of Parliament.

“Parliament recently had Job 600 project undertaken to provide decent offices for MPs, we are unable to appreciate the basis upon which the new chamber should be built, national resources must be channeled into projects and expenditure that have direct bearing on lives of the citizenry, not grandiose and prestige projects of doubtful relevance.

“The party has asked the president to learn from the example of NDC that invested in education, health, housing, communication, water, roads, transportation and other sectors which brought relief to the citizenry, and must not subject the public purse which he promised to protect,” Mr Nketia indicated.

Relatedly, the party has slated August 24, 2019, for its parliamentary primary and the exercise is expected to take place across all 275 constituencies and Mr Nketia explained that the party has also pegged filing of nominations forms at GHȼ25,000.00.

“Women and people living with disability have been given special dispensation where they have been allowed to pay GH¢12,500.00, which is half of the original amount for filing of nomination forms,” he noted.

Setting the rules of engagement for aspirants, Mr Nketia indicated that aspirants must first of all satisfy constitutional requirement which qualified one to be an MP, he or she must also satisfy requirements of the party, no one would be disqualified based on normal procedural errors, however, anyone who tried to defraud by false pretences or impersonation in whatever form faces disqualification.

“The party will from July 10 to12, 2019, open nomination forms in all 275 constituency party offices, with the exception of Afram Plains, where they will pick their nomination forms from the General Secretary of the party at the headquarters, at non-refundable cost of GHȼ2,000, filing of nomination forms should take place on July 18 and 19, 2019.

“Vetting follows immediately from July 24 to 25, 2019, throughout the country, whereas appeals after disqualification should take place on July 29 to 31, 2019 after which they will issue a notice of poll.

“Parliamentary primary is expected to take place on August 24, 2019 at all the 275 constituencies across the country, unlike other political parties which have set different dates for orphan parliamentary constituencies and parliamentary primaries, the NDC will have election at all 275 constituencies, except areas where there will be challenges, anybody who wishes to aspire must have fulfilled all conditions and ground rules governing the parliamentary primary,” Mr Nketia pointed out. –rainbowradioonline.com