General News of Tuesday, 16 July 2019

Source: peacefmonline.com

Minority threatens to boycott mid-year budget review

Deputy Minority whip, Ahmed Ibrahim play videoDeputy Minority whip, Ahmed Ibrahim

The Minority in parliament have threatened to boycott this year’s mid year budget review.

According to them, until funds are released for the payment of the MPs common fund, Health Insurance debt and other debts owed by government, they will not attend the mid year budget review.

Speaking on Okay FM’s 'Ade Akye Abia' programme, Member of Parliament for Banda constituency and Deputy Minority whip, Ahmed Ibrahim, explained that the Finance Ministry has refused to release funds for the payment of the aforementioned projects and programmes, and that is suffocating most of the MPs who depend on the common fund for various projects in their constituencies.

"Until the Finance Ministry releases money for the payment of the common fund and other debts, he should not come to Parliament to present any mid year review budget," he said.

Barring any last minute changes, the Finance Ministry is expected to appear before the August house to present this year’s mid year budget tomorrow.

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has granted letters of commencement to the three development authorities to commence the full implementation of the $1-million per constituency pledge under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP) for the 2020 fiscal year.

The commencement certificate makes available GH¢1.66 billion (equivalent of $320 million) for the 275 constituencies across the country.

This covers $275 million for the 275 constituencies and $45 million for outstanding commitments.

The IPEP, commonly known as One Million Dollars Per Constituency, is a government initiative aimed at meeting critical infrastructural needs identified by local actors at the constituency level.