Tema Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), Ebi Bright, has accused the Member of Parliament (MP) for the area of repeatedly refusing to engage with her office and the Assembly since she assumed office.

According to her, the lack of engagement has created difficulties in coordinating development projects and addressing issues that require collaboration between the Assembly and the MP.

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Ebi Bright made the allegation when she appeared before Parliament’s Accountability Committee, where she discussed concerns surrounding the working relationship between her office and the MP.

“To be honest, the MP has been resolute in not engaging the Assembly or me since I came into office,” she said.

She explained that some matters brought before her office required discussions with the MP, particularly because certain projects contained in the Assembly’s annual action plans were also being pursued separately.

“Some of the issues that have reached my table have required a discussion, because unfortunately we're not concerted in what we're doing,” she said.

According to the Tema Mayor, some of the projects had also involved government reserve open spaces, making consultation necessary before decisions could be taken.

She said several attempts had been made to establish communication with the MP, including efforts involving some parliamentary leaders.

However, she claimed that the latest attempt resulted in an alleged assault on her driver.

“We've made, or I have made, with the support of other individuals, including some leadership in Parliament, to approach him. The last of such efforts was met with physical assault on my driver, because we tried to reach him at Parliament and we couldn't reach him,” she told the committee.

Ebi Bright said she subsequently went to the MP’s residence, located opposite her private office, but was unable to meet him.

“I went to his residence, which is just opposite my private office, and we didn't gain access to him,” she said.

She added that she later sent a package to the MP’s office as a gesture to greet him and request a meeting, but alleged that the attempt ended with one of her staff members being assaulted.

“So I sent a package to his office to greet him and then to, you know, ask to see him. But he assaulted my staff,” she alleged.

The Mayor said the matter had since been brought to the attention of some parliamentary leaders, expressing hope that the disagreement could be resolved.

“This has also come to the attention of some leadership in Parliament, and we're hoping to resolve those issues,” she said.

Ebi Bright reiterated that she remained concerned about the MP’s refusal to engage her office and the Assembly on matters affecting development in the area.

NA/AM

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