There will be a “seamless transition” to a “smaller outfit” when the European Union-funded Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP) wraps up business at the end of the next month, according to Cabinet Secretary Dr Roger Luncheon.
Luncheon told the media On Thursday that the transition will see LEAP’s activities continuing.

Earlier this year, Stabroek Business had reported that the Demerara Enterprise Ltd (DEN), a state-run corporation will succeed LEAP and that infrastructure projects in Region Ten created to support LEAP initiatives and implemented through the Government of Guyana will continue until December 2011.

The report quoted a letter in which International Project Manager at LEAP Kathleen Whalen said that the management of remaining activities will be transferred to the Guyana National Authorizing Office Task Force within the Ministry of Finance. “These arrangements will permit the full completion inclusive of Defect Liability and Maintenance Periods of a number of infrastructure projects as well as the required programmed closure activities.  The activities of LEAP in Region Ten have been laid out and financed through a series of work programmes,” she said.

In early 2002, the 12 million euros ($2.2 billion) LEAP came into operation to stimulate economic growth in Linden and Region Ten. Over the years, the programme has seen the establishment of infrastructure and services that LEAP covers such as the 1.9 million euros Linden Economic Advancement Fund (LEAF), the multi-million dollar Business Incubator that houses LEAP’s office and paid tenants, the Demonstration Farm at Moblissa, and the establishment of the soon to open industrial incubator in Kara Kara, Mackenzie, among others, like road works.