The Joint Opposition yesterday (19) said the resignation of the subject Minister over the importation of substandard coal would have no real effect, issuing a special statement on the matter.

The Opposition alleged that responsibility for the decision to import allegedly substandard coal from an unregistered company lay with the entire Cabinet, as the procurement had been approved collectively.

It further stated that the Cabinet should be held primarily accountable and that a mechanism must be introduced to recover the massive losses allegedly caused to the country through several sectors as a result of the decision.

The Joint Opposition also claimed that the resignation of a Minister would have no impact on the work of a Presidential Commission, describing such reasoning as a false justification.

Questioning whether the Minister alone should bear responsibility, the Opposition said the Government would not be allowed to shift blame solely onto one individual and wash its hands of the broader issue.