Majority Leader ‘not well-informed’ about funding for proposed chamber

The Majority Leader addressed journalists over the issue

Majority Leader in Parliament Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu says he is yet to get details of the financials as regards the construction of a 450-seater chamber for the legislative.

He, therefore, denied reports that $200 million has been estimated for the project.

He was addressing journalists on Thursday on widely spread reports on the cost of the proposed project, particularly that GH¢72 million has already been allocated while the Chinese government has offered a grant of $40 million.

The Suame Constituency MP, who is also the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, insists consultations as regards funding are ongoing on the proposed project.

He pointed out that the project is solely a conception of the Parliamentary Service Board, of which he is a member.

“I myself as a member of the Board I am not well-informed about where we are about the financials,” Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said.

“So, certainly the consultations would have to continue and any relevant questions that a Member of Parliament would ask would have to be answered or responded to.”

‘Mix-up’

He confirmed that the Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, had promised ferrying the concerns of Members to the president following a storm ripping off a portion of the roof.

But he said the presidency is yet to respond to their concerns though Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo had expressed sympathies.

According to him, the resource allocations being peddled in the media may be a mere mix-up.

“I think there is a bit of a mix-up,” the Majority Leader stated.

“The facility here that is being constructed, the new offices that are being added to the Job 600 Office Complex, the Finance Minister did some allocation and that is in the budget for this year.

“I don’t whether it is that one that people are referring to.”

The proposal of a new chamber has been met with public outcry.

Social media have been awashed with messages of condemnation to the extent of engendering to hit the streets against the decision.