The Minority in Parliament has boycotted a stakeholders’ engagement on the Lithium Mining Agreement.
The Lands and Natural Resources Minister presented the agreement with Barari DV in July, and it was subsequently referred to the Lands and Natural Resources Committee for consideration.
Ranking Member of the Committee, Alhassan Suhuyini, explained that their side could not attend the meeting due to the emergency sitting of Parliament at the conference center, and therefore, they will not acknowledge the outcome of the meeting.
He noted that the meeting was intended to review memos requested from stakeholders concerning Parliament’s approval of two leases: a bauxite mining lease and a lithium mining lease.
Speaking to the media, Mr Suhuyini said, “Regarding a call from Parliament to rectify two leases—a bauxite mining lease and the other a lithium mining lease—this meeting is being attended by only the majority members of the committee, and the reason is simple: the processes leading up to the organization of the meeting have been very flawed.
“Today is a special meeting of Parliament. It is not just special because about 15% of Members of Parliament have called this sitting. It is also special because of the venue that has been chosen for today’s sitting. It is not our usual venue. At our usual venue, it is easy to have committee meetings taking place at the same time as business on the floor, so that when it becomes necessary, members can move from the committee meetings to the business on the floor.”
He stated that, given the nature of the meeting and the venue chosen, it was expected that the committee meeting would be rescheduled.
However, Mr Suhuyini noted that, for some reason, the chairman of the committee unilaterally decided to proceed with the meeting, despite the fact that they were called to conduct business in the chamber.
“Together with our leadership, we have decided to attach seriousness to the emergency recall that has been done on us and to stay here and do business, and that is why you may realize later on that the committee meeting is made up of only members of the majority.”
Source: Myjoyonline
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