Afenyo Markin Slams Minority’s ‘U-Turn’ on Cement Price Regulation

The Majority Leader, Alexander Afenyo Markin, has expressed disappointment over the Minority’s position on the Legislative Instrument (LI), which seeks to regulate the pricing of cement. The Effutu Member of Parliament (MP) is dismayed by the Minority’s argument, considering the public outcry over the uneven rising cost of cement across the country.

“The main object of the LI, as contained in the paper, is to promote competition within the cement industry, it is not to regulate the price of cement. The government is not seeking to reintroduce price control as if it’s a communist government. This government believes in free market enterprise but also believes in regulation and checks,” he hinted.

On Wednesday, July 3, the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, advised the sponsors of the Legislative Instrument to withdraw it and take a second look at it to ensure that the appropriate language is used to meet the statutory standard.

This advice follows constitutional arguments raised by former Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu and other members of the Minority.

The LI was laid before the House on July 2 and was expected to mature into law after 21 sitting days.

Speaking to journalists, Afenyo Markin argued that all the proposed amendments, which were raised before the committee, have been taken into consideration and incorporated into the revised document (LI).

“After the deliberation of the committee, they came out with a document – a report signed by the chairman – the content of which I will share with the media is to the effect that if the Trade Minister will take into consideration all the amendments, then they are not opposed to it. Now, true to his words, Hon. K.T. Hammond incorporated every single amendment proposed by the Subsidiary Legislation Committee into the new LI,” he revealed.

Hon. Afenyo also made it known that the LI, which was previously brought before Parliament, was changed, and every amendment that was proposed by the minority was factored into the new LI. The Majority Leader was surprised by the sudden change of mind by the Minority.

Story by Nana Kwaku Boffah.