The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has dismissed the Speaker’s recommendation for the withdrawal of the Legislative Instrument aimed at regulating cement production and pricing.
Speaker Alban Bagbin had suggested the Trade Minister withdraw the instrument due to constitutional concerns raised by former minority leader, Haruna Iddrisu.
However, Afenyo-Markin countered that these constitutional concerns are unfounded, making the call for withdrawal unwarranted.
He stated that the issues raised by the Subsidiary Legislation Committee have been addressed in the revised instrument, rendering the withdrawal unnecessary.
Furthermore, Afenyo-Markin clarified that the instrument does not intend to control cement prices, as some MPs have claimed.
“Every concern raised by members of the Subsidiary Legislation and in respect of amendment to the L. I got incorporated into the new L.I., so nothing is outstanding as it is today, based on the deliberation report from the Subsidiary Legislation Committee, we have come out with the new LI.”
“So nothing is outstanding and I don’t see how the minister would have to withdraw this again.”
“One of their [Minority] colleagues misled the house by saying that we are by this instrument seeking to control prices of cement. This is not going to do so, you’re interpreting the documents, you don’t just read a long title, and you don’t read a heading and then assume that is what the document says.”
