Gov’t revokes Work Permit for Head of LEAD Project

By Fareeza Haniff

[www.inewsguyana.com] – The Guyana Government has revoked the work permit and stay of extension of Head of the LEAD Project, Glen Bradbury.

This was announced by Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon at a post cabinet media briefing on Wednesday, April 30.

Bradbury is a Canadian citizen and was tasked with the responsibility of implementing the contentious USAID funded Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Project by the United States government.

When questioned, Dr Luncheon told reporters that the revocation of the work permit was based on the “immigration laws of Guyana being offended by Mr Bradbury and his actions in Guyana.”

The Guyana government is opposed to the LEAD Project and made its contentions known to the US Government through US Ambassador to Guyana, Brent Hardt.

Hardt met with the Government recently and according to Dr Luncheon, government blatantly asked if the US Administration will put the project on hold.

“We asked for a formal and timely response and Ambassador Hardt undertook to have it honoured,” the Cabinet Secretary said.

He reiterated that the Guyana government will not engage the US Administration while the project is still being implemented.

The two Parliamentary Political Parties – APNU, AFC – have condemned Government’s rejection of the USAID funded Project.

The parties in separate statements registered their support for the position taken by the US Government and noted that it looks forward to the positive contribution it will provide to enhanced leadership and democracy in Guyana.

The Project, which has been the subject of much debate over the last few months also received the support of the private sector, namely the PSC and GCCI, which endorsed its implementation.

Government has particularly objected to the design of the project.