Parliament in heated debate over supplementary budget document errors

The Majority and Minority on Friday engaged in a heated reaction with regards to the document on the supplementary budget estimates which the minority claimed the original document contained errors whiles the majority said it does not.

While some members of the majority said errors occurred during the printing of copies for distribution to members some members of the minority said the paper presented by the Finance Minister on Tuesday July 18, 2012 contained errors and should be withdrawn and re-laid.

Mr Cletus Apul Avoka, majority leader, said the figures presented in the house were correct but when copies were being reproduced for members errors were made.

He said they were typographical errors which will be corrected and copies given to members for debate to begin next week.

Dr Anthony Akoto Osei, ranking member of the Finance committee, who called the supplementary document “so called budget” said it was not fair to members for a Minister to present the document and then withdraw it to make corrections without the knowledge of the house.

Mr James Klutse said the corrected version of the document would be the one the committee would work with.

Mr Fiifi Kwetey, Deputy Finance Minister said the original document which the Minister presented had no mistakes but the front cover had some error which needed to be removed and corrected.

Mr Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu, Minority Leader wanted to know which document members would debate on, because to him the original document was not the same as what was distributed to some members.

He said the original document had no tables in it, adding that, there were some variations with the new one.

Mr Alban Sumani Bagbin, Minister of Health and MP for Ndowli West said if the document laid is to be withdrawn then it must follow a procedure, meaning the house has to give leave to the Minister to withdraw it but once that was not done it means it is the property of the house.

Mrs Joyce Bamford Addo, Speaker, said the issue would be decided by the committee, which would ensure that copies were presented to all members.

Source: GNA