Government has programmed to provide some money towards the construction of Constituency offices forf Members of Parliament.
An initial amount of GH¢45,500,000 has been set aside for the construction project which in its first stage would cater for 70 out of the current 275 MPs.
The special budget Committee sitting to consider the 2021 budget estimates of the Parliament of Ghana assured the committee that, “the service intends to construct 70 of such offices annually so that by the end of 2024, all 275 Constituencies will be provided with offices”.
On that basis, Parliament has been allocated an amount of GH¢45,500,000 for the construction of 70 Constituency offices for Members of Parliament in 2021.
The Committee however, urged management to ensure that the funds allocated for the activity are ring-fenced and applied strictly for the purpose for which they are allocated.
The constituency offices are expected to facilitate the work of Members of Parliament by creating a nonpartisan and neutral office for all constituents to interact with their representatives.
“Successful execution of the project will further deepen the representational role of Members and Parliament by bringing Members closer to their constituents”, the Committee noted.
The Committee is however worried that procurement processes have not commenced for the construction of the facilities.
The Committee therefore asked management of the Service to take appropriate steps and liaise with leadership of the House to develop modalities for the smooth implementation of the project.
The House has also planned to improve upon internet connectivity this year under e-parliament as instituted some years ago to deal with “poor IT infrastructure in Parliament.
The Committee noted that Parliament has put in place a number of interventions to improve information flow and management systems in the house.
In view of this, there is an elaborate plan to improve internet connectivity and broadband speed in Parliament through the provision of Wi-Fi to Members to enable them access information.
The House has adopted the report and approved the sum of Five Hundred and Twenty, three Million, Six Hundred and Thirty-nine Thousand, Seven Hundred and Seventy-four Ghana Cedis (GH¢523,639,774) for the implementation of some of the programs of the Parliament of Ghana for the 2021 financial year.
Story filed by Edzorna Francis Mensah
