A heated debate erupted in Parliament today over the laying of Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which seeks to repeal the President’s power to grant permission for mining in forest reserves.

The Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Murtala, was set to lay the instrument before the House, but the process was halted following disagreements between the Majority and Minority caucuses over procedural requirements.

The L.I. 2462, if passed, would strip the President of the authority to issue licenses for mining activities in forest reserves, a move aimed at curbing illegal small-scale mining, commonly known as galamsey.

However, Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin argued that the L.I. must undergo a pre-laying process before being formally laid before Parliament.

Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga countered this position, stating that the L.I. is a straightforward, one-clause instrument that has already garnered consensus.

He argued that "This was a major promise of President John Dramani Mahama and the government, and today, we are seeing the implementation of a major promise aimed at dealing with the issue of galamsey in our forest reserves."

"We are taking away the discretion of the President to grant permission for concessions to be given for mining to take place in foreign reserves, and that is what this regulation is all about. The minister is ready. The instrument is in the house, and we want to lay it."

He stressed that the repeal is a critical step in addressing the environmental degradation caused by illegal mining and that further delays would undermine efforts to combat the crisis.

Education Minister and MP Haruna Iddrisu echoed Mr Ayariga’s sentiments, describing the galamsey crisis as a national emergency that requires urgent action.

He warned that any delays in laying the L.I. would exacerbate the environmental destruction caused by illegal mining activities.

However, former Lands Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor pushed back, insisting that further consultations were necessary before the L.I. could be laid.

His argument found support among some members of the Minority, who stressed the importance of adhering to parliamentary procedures.

The debate grew increasingly contentious, with both sides of the House passionately defending their positions.

After extensive deliberations, First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor ruled that a pre-laying process of three days must be observed.

He also directed the Subsidiary Legislation Committee of Parliament to review the L.I. and report back to the House by Thursday, March 20.

As a result, the laying of L.I. 2462 was temporarily blocked.

The Deputy Speaker cautioned that if the Subsidiary Legislation Committee fails to complete its work by the stipulated deadline, he would allow the L.I. to be laid without further delay.