West Kwaio MP says Parliament should legislate strategic infrastructure projects

MEMBER of Parliament for West Kwaio Hon Claudio Teiifi says Parliament should legislate strategic infrastructures to enable immunity from interference by governments of the day.

Speaking in Parliament during his vote of thanks to the Governor General’s Speech from the Throne today, Hon Teiifi said by doing so, the planning, designing, construction and management of infrastructure projects are mandated by an act of parliament.

Therefore, he said whenever a ruling government comes into power or changes, they would not change the long-term plans but align their policies to achieving plans set out in the legislation.

The Opposition MP said this ensures that the commitment and responsibility over these projects continue.

“Any recommendations for changes by the government can be put as motions for approval by a two third majority in parliament and not at executive or policy level; such would hold governments accountable and committed to this cause from start to finish,” Hon Teiifi told Parliament.

The West Kwaio MP said his suggestion to legislate infrastructure policies is inline with the Governor General’s call to build strategic infrastructures in strategic locations.

He said this is a matter for Parliament to consider.

Hon Teiifi said infrastructure planning and implementation across the country revolve around policies of the ruling government of the day.

The Opposition MP said and that is whenever a government changes, their policies change so as their priorities placed on planned infrastructures.

Hon Teiifi said the other challenge he has observed is on the interests of bilateral partners in projects that are in line with their foreign policy objectives.

He said these are some reasons why this country’s infrastructure and economy could not progress.

ENDS//