Sefwi-Akontombra Member of Parliament(MP), Alex Tetteh Djornobuah has said the House is yet to receive the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462 which allows mining in forest reserves to be revoked.
Mr Djornobuah who is the Second Deputy Majority Whip disclosed this on Asempa FM Ekosii Sen programme Wednesday.
The MP made the revelation while speaking on the New Patriotic Party (NPP) caucus’ request for Speaker, Alban Bagbin to recall the House after an indefinite suspension on Tuesday, October 22.
The caucus contends that, the suspension of parliamentary sessions will impede critical government business, prompting them to formally request a recall.
He mentioned several government businesses that requires yet attention, including tax exemptions for designated beneficiaries under the One District, One Factory Programme, Ghana Financial Stability Fund, an International Development Association facility of $250,000,000 were some of the urgent businesses for consideration.
However, the MP did not mention the L.I which the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame had instructed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to submit.
He also mentioned the Environmental Protection Agency Bill, 2024 Social Protection Bill, 2023, Customs (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Budget Bill, 2023, Ghana Boundary Commission Bill, 2023, Intestate Succession Bill, 2022.
When asked the status of the revocation, Mr Djornobuah responded, “Attorney General is yet to submit the L.I and as parliament, we don’t work on hearsay. Every bill we work on must emanate from the Attorney General’s office and the L.I hasn’t come to us yet.”
The decision of the government to revoke the L.I follows demands from Organised Labour, as part of efforts to address the environmental devastation caused by illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
As a result, it specifically agreed to repeal L.I. 2462, which governs mining operations in these ecologically critical zones.
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