As Parliament prepares to adjourn sine die on Friday, March, 23 ,2018 after almost three months of hectic work sometimes characterised by lateness during the First Meeting in the Second Session of the Seventh Parliament, the Speaker, Prof Aaron Michael Oquaye, has cautioned Members of Parliament (MP) that claims of overtime allowance would not be countenance where Members have not worked for it.
The Speaker’s outburst during last Friday’s, follows a disclosure by the Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu when he presented the Business Statement that there would be extended sittings for the last week to ensure completion of business before the House adjourns sine die.
Prof Oquaye who was not happy about the frequent late start of business in the House due to lateness on the part of Members of Parliament (MPs) urged them to be punctual to enable the House complete all scheduled items on time.
He indicated that MPs cannot afford to demand overtime claims if they fail to report early for the start of work on time (10:00am) and yet wanting to be paid if the House sits beyond the scheduled closing time (2:00 pm).
Member of Parliament for Adaklu, Kwame Governs Agbodza who obviously was not enthused about the extended sittings proposal complained bitterly about the attitude of his colleague MPs who constantly failed to show up early for the commencement of proceedings at 10:00 in the forenoon.
Mr Agbodza who on several occasions complained about lateness by MPs affecting quorum for the conduct of business had also proposed a change of time from 10:00 am to 11:00 am for the start of business in the House.
He described the development as “not healthy” indicating that the “House’s inability to sit on time has nothing to do with the Speaker” since he (Speaker) has always been punctual and on time in discharging his duties.
“It is us who always fail to come so if Mr. Speaker, I’m urging Members that if we are going to have extended sittings, please let’s come on time so that the extension does not go beyond a certain period”, he lamented.
The Member’s worry once compelled the Speaker who cautioned Members to take the business of the House very serious and report on time.
This caution seems to have fallen on deaf ears as the House still begun proceedings late.
Mr Agbodza who is also the Ranking Member on the Roads and Highways Committee of Parliament observed that the necessary resources and incentives needed for the extended sittings have not been forthcoming and has therefore urged leadership to reverse the trend to enable MPs give off their best.
As Parliament adjourns until further notice this Friday, March 23, 2018, MPs are expected to claim their overtime allowances for works done during the First Meeting before departing to their various constituencies.
The Speaker of Parliament therefore sought to caution MPs not to attempt asking for what they have not worked for especially as overtime allowances.
“We must be duly remunerated. But I agree with the honourable Member for Adaklu that if we are supposed to sit from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and we come and start working at 12:30pm, then immediately its past 2:00pm, we start claiming monies for overtime.
What will our country men and women think of us? “That is the essence of the stance taken by the Hon. Member for Adaklu – something that he has been hampering upon consistently of late in this House and it must be put on record and followed”, the Speaker recalled.
Prof Oquaye also appealed to Members for the start of proceedings on time in order to be justified in claiming money from the tax payer for extra work done.
“So, Honourable Members because we deserve to be remunerated for overtime, then we must also properly start on time. And in fact, matters relating to how Members of Parliament are treated were if you ask the leaders, discussed led by my good self at the last Board meeting.
We want to not just give Honourable Members pastries and things we cannot … a proper meal soon after sitting because when they close at 2:00pm, they have not even finished – they are going to start again at the Committee and they deserve and it must be given to them and very soon we will be working out the modalities and Honourable Members will be served proper meals so that they can also continue to do proper work for the people Ghana.
But let us also show that we are worthy of our hired. That is one thing that I think the Honourable Member has come out with which we must practice” the Speaker concluded.
The Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu explained that sometimes, the lateness by Members to House are as a result of their attendance of Committee meetings which are held earlier and other engagements.
By Christian Kpesese/ ghanamps.com
