Second reading of local gov’t bills deferred

APNU MPs Ronald Bulkan (left) and Basil Williams engage Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud during the 10-minute parliamentary recess yesterday.

“We are prepared to wait until hell freezes over,” House Speaker Raphael Trotman declared, after Local Government Minister Ganga Persaud yesterday remained silent when asked to take the reins on the four local government bills brought back to the National Assembly.

But government members refused several calls to address the bills, following a move by the opposition to give them  priority at yesterday’s sitting, ahead of other matters, including the Hydro-Electric (Amendment) Bill and the motion to raise the cap on the country’s debt ceiling,