The Minority in Parliament has expressed surprise that the government is still attempting to push through bills aimed at merging the Volta River Authority (VRA) and Bui Power Authority.

The government previously tried and failed to introduce the bill during an emergency sitting of the House due to opposition from the Minority.

Senior staff of the VRA have also opposed the move, with the Minister of State at the Energy Ministry, Herbert Krapah, assuring them that the government would not proceed with the plans.

However, the Minority Spokesperson on Energy, John Jinapor, raised concerns on the floor of Parliament, demanding clarity on the matter.

"Following our clear stance that we will not support this, the Minister responsible for Energy Minister, Herbert Krapah revealed on the 4th of October, that was Thursday, after meeting VRA staff, that the government had taken a decision to withdraw these bills. And so what surprises me is that today, despite the government's assurance that these bills will be withdrawn, we are seeing 6 bills, and five out of them have to do with energy sector-related issues. So I thought that the Majority Leader would have stood down these bills having regard to government assuring that they will no longer proceed with them," he said on Wednesday.

• Read also: VRA Senior Staff demonstrate against proposed Bui Power Authority merger

"Because the speaker, we stated explicitly, without any equivocation, that we will not support these bills. And so Majority Leader, you may want to clear the air as to whether indeed the Minister's statement stands, or you intend to proceed with this bill."

In response, Majority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin acknowledged that the Minister had indicated the bills would not be pursued.

But he emphasised that the Minister must formally report to Parliament to withdraw them.

"Until he comes formally to withdraw, they remain in our records, so be assured... he has given an indication, that is the position," he explained.