Executive Director for the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has criticized the Executive arm of government over its decision to push through the proposed Electronic Transactions Levy despite calls for it to either be withdrawn or reviewed.

Speaking on Tuesday, during the Super Morning Show, Mr. Sulemana Briamah said the Executive’s posture does not foster cooperation with the Minority in Parliament, who have vehemently opposed the levy.

“The Executive appears to be very recalcitrant on a number of things,” he said.

Mr. Braimah stated that given the uproar and public agitation against the Bill, he expected that the least government could do is to react by coming up with a solution that favours the people.

“The Executive to say, look, having heard what is going on, let’s just do something to assure the people that we care and that we are concerned. So instead of 1.75%, having heard what is happening, let us bring it down to 1% and say that although we know people are against the e-levy, the economy is also struggling and we need the money.

“So to make it a ‘no’ or a zero is something that is going to be devastating. So if we’ve listened to you and we’re bringing it down to this, I think under that circumstance people would have had issues with the Minority instead if they opposed the Bill,” he said.

He was also of the view that considering the fact that what we have is a hung Parliament, it is prudent that the Executive and the Majority in Parliament realize that decision-making is only possible through consensus building.

“But to say look, people are opposed to it, the Minority which is almost equal in numbers to the Majority in Parliament is saying ‘No’ and yet we want to push our way through, is certainly either you want to abuse the process, or you want to say whatever it is you will have your way, and that certainly is not going to be possible,” he argued.