Government goes to the Parliament this afternoon to amend the Procurement Act to include a clause allowing for exemptions in the procurement of goods and services in emergency and unforeseen circumstances.

Under the present law, it takes just under two months to facilitate tenders, responses and the input of an advisory committee on procurement.

Last Thursday, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley announced that he had given instruction to recall the House from its mid-year break to deal with the amendments.

The amendments require only a simple majority to be passed, which means government does not require Opposition support.

Ripping up a copy of the amendments on a UNC political meeting in Princes Town on Tuesday night, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar said the change would “water down” the law, as the exemptions do not require Parliament approval.

This afternoon’s sitting of the House of Representatives will begin at 1:30.