Latest update December 23rd, 2024 3:40 AM
Controversial democracy project… Govt. revokes work permit of US contractor
Glenn Bradbury
The Government of Guyana has revoked the work permit and extension of stay of the Head of the United States of America’s democratization project Glenn Bradbury, which is being implemented in Guyana to the dismay of the Administration.
This was disclosed by Dr. Roger Luncheon, Cabinet Secretary during his weekly post-Cabinet meeting at the Office of the President, yesterday.
Bradbury is the Principal Official of the International Republican Institute which is contracted by USAID to implement the Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) Project.
While not indicating whether this is an act by Government to stall the execution of the LEAD Project, Dr. Luncheon said the revocation of Bradbury, a Canadian citizen’s, permit, was based on the conclusion that Guyana’s immigration laws were offended by Bradbury.
In early January, Dr. Luncheon said the decision by the US Government to proceed with a project that the Guyana Government has already rejected is disrespectful.
He said that the four components of the project were analyzed by Cabinet and one contained major activities that captured a relationship between USAID and individual political parties in Guyana. Guyana does not have a public policy by government for the support for political parties, he added.
The LEAD project seeks to enhance the technical capacity and functionality of the legislature through the regular use of consultative practices and mechanisms for legislative drafting, analysis, review, and passage.
The programme is expected to further reinforce democratic governance in Guyana by broadening political participation through more representative and competitive multi-party engagements.
This programme will include a particular focus on women and youth.
Dr. Luncheon reflected that last week US Ambassador, Brendt Hardt met with President Donald Ramotar and senior Government Officials, including himself. That engagement allowed the reiteration of Cabinet’s position on the matter.
He said Government is prepared to re-engage but it will not do so while activities under the project are being implemented.
Dr. Luncheon said on March 27, Hardt made it clear to Government that the project was being implemented even though Government had objected.
“I had also advised Cabinet that it was an amazing assertion by the Ambassador that the Government knew and the Government had been informed and that indeed the public was equally made aware of the implementation of this project,” he said.
“Cabinet’s directive that was faithfully discharged by Cabinet Secretary, yours truly, was to provide the US Government through the Ambassador an opportunity- forget all that has happened…We want today to put to the American side the question, are you in the spirit, in the commitment to engagement going to put on hold the implementation of the project or not?”
According to Dr. Luncheon, since Cabinet’s request on the matter was going to be transmitted officially to the American Government, a formal response in a timely manner has been requested.
He assured that the US Ambassador has undertaken to honour both requests.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Chilling reminders that we are not safe
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- Georgetown was plunged into shock and terror last week after two heinous incidents laid... more
Breaking the Chains of Poverty: A need for political will
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The year 2024 has underscored a grim reality: poverty continues to be an unyielding... more
Weekend Cartoon
