Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has called on the Speaker to launch an investigation into the controversy surrounding the Siren Legislative Instrument (L.I), sparked by the NPP Majority’s actions.
Hon. Ablakwa welcomed the news that the Minority Leader has publicly denounced the L.I., stating that it is a significant development in the ongoing saga.
He reiterated his absolute and unwavering support for the Leader, Hon. Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, on this matter, leaving no doubt about his stance.
“I thought those of us totally at sea about this supposed L.I. on sirens and no speed limits missed the ball in Parliament, but it is reassuring to hear the Speaker of Parliament deny knowledge of the controversial L.I”.
“The Transport Ministry should be responding to the Boankra Scandal and how the Minister’s illegal conduct has left Ghana with a potential US$3.6billion judgment debt not proposing such needless LIs”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Meanwhile, Dr. Omane Boamah, the opposition NDC’s Director of Elections and IT, urged the ruling NPP to scrap the controversial Siren Law, labeling it an insensitive move that disregards the welfare of Ghanaians.
He pointed out that Vice President Bawumia was present in Cabinet when a proposed Law was approved, allowing Ministers and MPs to disregard speed limits and disturb citizens with the disruptive and annoying sound of sirens.
“The NPP really thinks Ghanaians are not angry enough! The audacity! And the NPP Cabinet including Bawumia and Napo thinking Ghanaians are not angry enough dispatched the sector Minister to present the legislation to Parliament”.
Dr. Omane Boamah
He expressed confidence in the NDC lawmakers in Parliament, emphasizing that they will vehemently oppose the clauses in the bill that aim to permit the use of sirens and exempt MPs and Ministers from speed limit regulations.
Dr. Omane Boamah encouraged Ghanaians to elect John Dramani Mahama as their president, promising that he would deliver selfless and humble leadership, and create well-paying job opportunities through his vision for a 24-hour economy.
Speaker Denies Siren Legislation Before Parliament
Moreover, Hon. Alban S.K Bagbin, the Speaker of Parliament, stated that there is no pending Legislative Instrument (L.I) related to sirens that is currently being considered by the House.
He voiced astonishment at claims that a Legislative Instrument (L.I) regarding sirens was allegedly before the House, emphasizing his unawareness of such a development.
“There is this claim of sirens and also no speed limit. I mean, this social media thing…So I thought maybe something was being done behind my back, so I started calling all over, all my directors said no, they had not seen anything like that. Later I was told it was a regulation that parliament was amending, we don’t amend regulations, we don’t have the power in the constitution to amend regulations”.
Hon. Alban S.K Bagbin
The Speaker of Parliament explained that Parliament has delegated that power to other bodies, not to itself, and so when they bring an instrument, either in the nature of an L. I or C.I., if out of a hundred provisions, Parliament disagrees with just one, it is not even allowed to amend that particular provision.
He noted that Parliament is normally faced with an all-or-nothing decision, forced to either reject all provisions in an L. I or C. I or allow the entire instrument to pass, which then makes it virtually impossible for Parliament to revoke it by requiring a two-thirds majority vote to overturn it.
Concurrently, a mounting wave of public discontent is surfacing in response to the proposed bill seeking to modify specific provisions within the Road Traffic Regulations, 2012.
Once this law comes into effect, it will authorize lawmakers, ministers, and select officials to use sirens and drive at speeds exceeding the designated limits.
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