[www.inewsguyana.com] – President Donald Ramotar has made it clear that Guyana does not need the USAID funded Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Project by the United States government.
In a Government Information Agency bulletin issued on Saturday night (May 03), the President was quoted as saying, “We never agreed to it, we were never consulted, we were not part of any forum on this programme …we do not need it in our country, at this point in time, that is why we took the unusual position that we have taken.”
The President’s remarks come after his government revoked the work permit of Glen Bradbury, a Canadian contractor, who was tasked with overseeing the implementation of the LEAD Project.
According to the Government Agency, “This move came after government learnt that the project was being implemented despite its strenuous objections and meetings with US officials on the issue.”
Government said it was committed to re-engaging the discussion process, but not when the activities under the LEAD project were still being implemented.
However, despite this, Ramotar said that the country continues to have excellent relations with the United States government.
Meanwhile, the country’s main Opposition Party – A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) believes that Ramotar administration will pay a price for revoking Bradbury’s work permit.
APNU Leader, David Granger told a recent news conference, “My own feeling is that the government will have to pay a price for terminating the work permit of Bradbury. In diplomacy is jook fuh jook.”
The LEAD Project is highly supported by the Opposition Political Parties and the Private Sector.
