US Ambassador Brent Hardt says the delay in the recently-passed local government bills reaching the President for assent has created uncertainty about the legislative process and is warning that the situation can undermine the people’s confidence in governance.
“I think it is a little concerning that they have not been signed yet,” Hardt told Stabroek News in an exclusive interview last Monday, after lauding the passage of the four long-in-the-works bills as a signal achievement by the parliamentary parties. “This kind of creation of uncertainty is what really can undermine the confidence that people have in their governance. I would certainly hope that this will move forward expeditiously,” he added.
The Local Government Commission Bill, the Local Government (Amendment) Bill, the Municipal and District Councils (Amendment) Bill and the Fiscal Transfers Bill were passed by the National Assembly on August 7 but have remained stuck at the Attorney General’s Chambers for over a month awaiting assent certification. However, Attorney General Anil Nandlall recently said he