By Kurt Campbell
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Opposition leader David Granger says he has a hard time understanding why the Government would reject assistance from the United States under the USAID project in areas of security and electoral/political procedures.
Government had rejected the project, stating that it had no input in the final design even though proposals were made in that regard.
On Friday, December 20 Granger told reporters that it was not the first time the administration had rejected projects of this kind which is the reason for several shortcomings in the country’s security sector.
“I’m not surprised by anything this Government does any more, but I want to say it is because of this attitude that the country is the way it is,” Granger said.
He contends that despite the Government’s objection, the project should have been accepted since it would have been to the benefit of all Guyanese.
However, despite Government’s rejection of the project there are still some ‘reported’ activities being implemented from the project in some sections of the country.
According to Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, he has since written to the United States Ambassador, Brent Hardt seeking clarifications on the reports received.
While the Cabinet Secretary refused to divulge or explain exactly what those “activities” are, he noted that they are “activities” which are captured in the design of the rejected project.
A copy of the project which was given to reporters revealed that the USAID wanted to provide assistance to political parties in Guyana. The name of the project is: USAID Political Party Assistance Policy.
The document which was given to the media explained that the goals of the USAID Political Party Assistance Project are to develop and consolidate representative democracies, develop transparent political environments, establish viable democratic parties and ensure free and fair elections.
The project also seeks to provide assistance in Political Party Capacity Building, Strengthening the National Assembly, Support for the holding of Local Government Elections and support of Women and Youth Political Leadership.
