THE weekly session of Parliament yesterday descended into chaos with members trading insults and accusations over the renaming of Bapco to Bapco Refinery.
First deputy speaker Abdulnabi Salman started the shouting match by accusing financial and economic affairs committee secretary and Strategic Bloc president Ahmed Al Salloom of feeding MPs wrong information about the refinery for personal gains from the government.
“We are here to represent the people and the secretary should stop feeding wrong information to the chamber,” he said.
“The topic should be withdrawn because we are not convinced with reasons presented.”
Mr Salloom then said: “The first deputy speaker has been here since 2002 and served three terms and astonishingly he doesn’t know how to engage in a sensible debate or the basic concept of discussions.”
Mr Salman continued standing even as Parliament Speaker Ahmed Al Musallam asked him repeatedly to sit down.
Mr Al Salloom said the name change would give the company a fresher, marketable branding in the market, while widening its scope of operations.
He added that several other companies under Bapco Energies were also set for a name change for wider market appeal.
“We believe that any market development that would generate more income and profits for Bapco Energies should be given the go-ahead,” he said.
“The new name would give a fresher perspective to an old name, while also widening the scope of operations through larger interest.”
Meanwhile, Parliament’s financial and economic affairs committee chairwoman Zainab Abdulamir said the presence of Oil and Environment Minister Dr Mohammed Bin Daina to address the issue of the Royal Decree changing Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) to Bapco Refinery issued by His Majesty King Hamad during the National Assembly’s recess was unnecessary since all details were provided.
She agreed to withdraw the issue for two weeks so the minister can appear, but questioned the names of MPs wanting to debate the topic when it is just a yes or no vote.
However, MP Jalal Kadhem accused his colleagues of coming to the session unprepared.
“No one reads the schedule when issued days ago; I see MPs downloading topics on Tuesday morning in the chamber so when do they have time to prepare?” he asked.
“They are being told ‘vote, vote, vote’ and they don’t know what’s going on, the idea of public representation seems to be misunderstood when it comes to people’s interests.”
Parliament second deputy speaker Ahmed Qarata shouted the whole idea was wrong, but Mr Al Musallam cut him short.
“Don’t speak out of order and out of topic. Am I understood? Am I clear?
“Either vote with or against, the process is simple, but stop fuelling the matter.
“Sit down or I will take action.”
Mr Qarata calmly replied: “I understand, I understand.”
The war of words continued between Mr Salman and Mr Al Salloom in the chamber even when Mr Al Musallam called for a lunch break.
His Majesty King Hamad issued Decree Law 19 of 2023 amending some provisions of Decree Law 42 of 1999 establishing the Bahrain Petroleum Company, based on the proposal of the Prime Minister, and after the approval of the Cabinet.
The decree states:
“Article 1 states that the phrase “Bapco Refinery, a Bahrain Shareholding Company (Closed) (B.S.C.)” replaces the phrase “Bahrain Petroleum Company” mentioned in the title of Decree Law 42 of 1999 establishing the Bahrain Petroleum Company.
Whereas Article 2 states that the text of Article 1 of Decree Law 42 of 1999 establishing the Bahrain Petroleum Company shall be replaced with the following text: (Bapco Refinery, a Bahrain Shareholding Company (Closed) (B.S.C.)” is licensed to be established in accordance with the memorandum of association and articles of association accompanying this law).
And, according to Article 3, the company’s articles of association accompanying Decree Law 42 of 1999 establishing the Bahrain Petroleum Company shall be replaced by the articles of association and articles of association accompanying this law.
The Prime Minister shall implement this decree, which shall come into effect from the date of its issuance, and it shall be published in the Official Gazette.”
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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