‘Electric issue’ at ACCC forces late start of Parliamentary sitting

The third day of the consideration of the estimates for budget 2024 got off to a late start as Parliamentarians, key officials, staff, media and school children were kept on the outside of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal.

Initial reports suggested that it was a bomb scare; the Police and Fire Service were called in to sweep the building while EMT officials and a service dog were seen on the grounds.

But at the official start of the day’s event to continue scrutiny of the government’s fiscal plan, Speaker of the National Assembly Manzoor Nadir said it was an “electricity issue with one of the panels powering the central air-conditioning.”

“Alertness of staff of the ACCC was able to detect that issue and they worked over last two hours to ensure they can have it working again.” Nadir added.

He assured MPs that it was safe to be in the building and noted that standby emergency operations are in place.

“It is very safe now,” the Speaker assured.

The first ministry up for scrutiny is the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development.

Minister Sonia Parag will defend the allocations totaling $2.7 billion on the current side and $20.6 billion on the capital side.