¢3.1billion Spent On MPs Accomodation

Investigations conducted by the Ghanaian voice has revealed that Parliament has spent ¢3,131,573,172.82 on 33 members of parliament (MP) in just three months. This amount is only for the members' accommodation in hotels.

According to a highly placed source in Parliament, the figure could even go higher because more of the 118 newly-elected MPs from both sides of the House have joined their colleagues in the hotels. The accounts department of parliament confirmed this, saying they are yet to update may entries. The over ¢3.1billion cover only January March 2005.

Speaking to the Ghanaian voice, the House's public affairs director, Mr. Jones Kugblenu, disclosed that the situation has arisen as most of the old parliamentarians that could not be turned to the House are still living in the MPs bungalows. He said, it was equally not the fault of the deposed MPs to continue with their occupation of the bungalows as they are yet to be paid their ex-gratia awards.

Some of the new MPs who are residing in hotels have complained that they are finding it extremely difficult to living there and working effectively as lawmakers. They said some of them have families and living without them distracts their attention a lot. They also complained that their stay in hotels is affecting their children's education as proper supervision of these kids is difficult.

Asked why Parliament is not renting for these new MPs, house that have more convenient rooks and which cost less in time being, Mr. Kugblenu explained that Parliament would have preferred that for its cost effectiveness but most of the house owners Parliament contacted were not prepared to issue VAT receipts and the House is not prepared to risk such a basic necessity for accountability.