[www.inewsguyana.com] – Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon has announced that the Government has officially withdrawn its non-approval of the USAID Leadership and Democracy Project as talks between himself and United States Ambassador Brent Hardt continues.
Dr. Luncheon explained that this was necessary in order to facilitate the ongoing discussions in good faith and expressed the hope that a mutually agreed project will be decided on that will see the halted implementation recommencing.
The Cabinet Secretary was still not able to say when the ongoing discussions will be completed which will see an altered design of the project emerging. Government’s objection was in relation to the project’s design.
“The aim is really to reach an outcome where the project can be implemented on a mutually agreed ground,” Luncheon reminded.
In July 2013, the US launched the LEAD project without the formal sanction of the Guyana Government and went ahead implementing various aspects despite the administration’s rejections.
The US Government on April 30 conveyed its willingness to temporarily suspend the project’s implementation to facilitate discussions.
Reports so far have indicated that talks have been progressive.
The goals of the project are to promote understanding and consensus building within the National Assembly, greater citizen engagement with Parliament, civic education for local government elections and greater civic engagement among women and youth.
