Asikuma/Odoben/Brakwa questioned the rationale behind the

second reading of the bill without working on the Petroleum

Exploration and Production Bill. He argued that the first thing to do was to work on the Petroleum

Exploration and Production Bill to give the basis for the passing of

the Petroleum Revenue Bill.

He questioned that, if Ghanaians did not know what they

produce, how would they determine the revenue that would be

derived from it. He called on the leadership of the House to accept working on

the Petroleum Exploration and Production Bill first before thinking

of the Revenue Management Bill. Mr Ambrose Dery Deputy Minority Leader said government

must not be in a hurry to pass the bill but must be careful to ensure

that "our national interest was safeguarded". Mr Avoka said papers for the Petroleum Management Bill was

laid about six months ago, and discarded the notion that government

was in a haste to pass the bill. He said he was aware that the Petroleum Management Bill would

be passed before the Petroleum Exploration and Production Bill, but

urged the house to exercise restraint and allow the papers for the bill

to be laid, so that the joint committee working on the bill would

determine, which of the two bills to be passed first. 12 Nov. 10