Guyana, US finalise agreement on LEAD Project

BY MICHAEL YOUNGE

After months of stalemate and controversy, the Government of Guyana has finally agreed to the full implementation of the International Republican Institute (IRI) managed USAID Leadership Education and Democracy (LEAD) Project.

Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon, speaking during a joint press conference with the US Charge de Affairs Bryan Hunt, said that a mutually acceptable agreement has been reached, which puts to rest the concerns Government had over the initial design and implementation of the project.

He said Government was keen, from the outset, on ensuring that Guyana and Guyanese were not robbed of the opportunity to exploit the benefits that could be derived from the project.

Dr Luncheon advised that discussions have led to the development of a regime of measures that removed the ambiguity and uncertainty that loomed over the intentions of part of the project.

Robust governance

Asked by Guyana Times International whether Government was still “iffy” about the involvement of the IRI given its own track-record in other democracies, Dr Luncheon said Government had done all that it could have done to ensure that enough governance mechanisms were in place via the project’s content and implementation phases to avoid the surfacing of any negative concerns.

“A fairly well established process contributes enormously towards allaying fear from one side and concerns about the use of fear on the other side. We are in a situation where you might say the proof of the pudding is in the eating, but we have a robust regime of governance mechanisms by which this project would be judged, evaluated and monitored,” he insisted.

Hidden agenda?

Hunt dispelled the perception of many that the US had some hidden agenda behind implementing the project, which was marred by controversy since its announcement.

“The LEAD Project will be able to stand as a model of collaboration and innovative development assistance for democratic governance….The programme can now embark on its important work of facilitating conversations and undertaking activities that will hopefully yield to consensus and collaboration between all stakeholders that serve Guyana’s national interest.”

“It will provide tools, international expertise and opportunities to help facilitate conversations on activities of national interest,” he said.

Hunt went at length to explain to media operatives that the project would not engage or provide assistance to political parties and their representatives in any shape or form. “While we may engage with people that have roles in Guyana’s political parties, our intention is not to provide support or direct engagement under LEAD with political parties,” he said.