Parliamentarians To Receive Free Fully-Connected Laptops

Members of Parliament will soon be furnished with fully-connected laptops to help them execute their duties effectively in the House and their constituencies.

President John Dramani Mahama revealed this during his first State of the Nation Address in Parliament on Thursday, February 21, 2013, as a fulfillment to a manifesto promise.

He said government will provide Parliamentarians with laptops which are fully connected to the internet, to serve as an interface between them and their constituents.

He also indicated that Parliament is to be strengthened through a democracy fund proposed by the Constitutional Review Commission. This is to provide sustainable funding for the Members of the House.

�Mr. Speaker, a strong Parliament is a strong democracy. Strengthening Parliament is also a crucial element in managing a successful transition to middle income status. This includes ensuring that Parliament has the capacity to play its oversight role effectively.� he said.

He noted that; �..the Job 600 project which will ensure that Members of Parliament can operate from decent offices is almost complete. MPs can expect to be furnished with new laptops, with full internet connectivity to facilitate communication between their offices and their constituents as promised in the NDC manisfesto.�

The MPs will also benefit from the housing project by the Mahama-led government in order to safeguard them.

President Mahama also disclosed that a new Parliamentary Chamber block at the State House will be constructed under his leadership.

He said: �We will this year commence a feasibility study for the construction of a new Parliamentary Chamber block, on the premises of the State House. We will also explore appropriate housing for MPs in order to guarantee their safety and security.�

He also promised to instil discipline in the Parliamentary hierarchy.

Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana