(Kaieteur News) – “My life is in God’s hands and that’s not today.” These were the words of Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill moments after exiting the dome of the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC) with a smirk on his face, where the National Assembly convened in the midst of a heated protest by opposition members of parliament (MPs).

Opposition parties, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN ), the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), Vigilant Political Action Committee (V-PAC) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) joined in demanding that the Bishop as well as Minister of Public Utilities and Aviation, Deodat Indar tender their resignations over the MV Barima tragedy where 73 persons drowned on the 87-year-old vessel. Some 75 persons were rescued while dozens more are still missing as the sunken vessel remains grounded on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean, about nine miles off the Essequibo Coast.

The smiling minister upon his exit from the ACCC was greeted by party supporters as he walked towards his Prado. When asked his views on the protest action by the opposition members, Edghill insisted, “I have repeatedly said I will speak about this matter at the appropriate time.”