Historic local gov’t bills passed

Huddle: One of the intense PPP/C huddles during yesterday’s deliberations on the order of business for the day.

More than a decade after talks began on reform legislation, the four bills which pave the way for local government polls were passed by the National Assembly last night.

They now await assent by President Donald Ramotar and this is potentially a roadblock as the President has previously refused to sign some bills passed by the National Assembly or delayed the process significantly.

The bills- The Local Government Commission Bill, the Local Government (Amendment) Bill, the Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Bill and the Fiscal Transfers Bill  are intended to allow for the