CHAIRMAN of the Private Sector Commission, Ronald Webster confirmed that the Commission has concluded its stakeholder meetings over the controversial $300m USAID-funded Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) project.He told the Guyana Chronicle that having met with representatives from the United States Embassy, the Commission met with President Donald Ramotar, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce (ag) Irfaan Ali on Monday.

Webster said, “We have met with the Government on the matter and have listened to both sides. Right now the Commission has to sit down and discuss the issues before we take a public position on the matter and we expect to do so before the end of the week.”
On a personal note, he said that any form of disruptions, like those caused by the controversy over the project, feeds antagonism and at all costs this should be avoided. Webster added that both sides need to sit down, review the differing views and move ahead.

PRIVATE SECTOR SUPPORT
President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Clinton Urling as well as other leading voices in the private sector have come out in support of the project, despite the Government’s rejection of it.
Former Chairman of the PSC Gerry Gouveia has noted that the Government needs to explain more clearly why they reject the project and should take steps to restore the good relations with the United States.

ISSUE NOT INSURMOUNTABLE
Meanwhile, Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr Roger Luncheon at his last post-Cabinet press conference, acknowledged that the issue is not an “insurmountable” one.
However, Luncheon made it clear that there will be no negotiations under duress.
Government has since written to the Ambassador seeking clarification following reports that aspects of the rejected USAID Leadership and Democracy Project were still being implemented, despite the administration’s objection to its design. The response received from the US embassy called on the Government to engage the US on aspects, such as the design, of the project.
There has been no word since on the status of the project.
Written By Vanessa Narine