Government yesterday defended the role of President David Granger in changes to the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and outlined a number of actions taken to protect Guyana’s territorial waters and reinforce border security.
The actions were disclosed in a statement issued in response to a letter in yesterday’s Kaieteur News. The Ministry of the Presidency’s statement observed that the letter – reputedly written by an unnamed “concerned junior officer” – suggests that since taking office in May 2015, President David Granger has been acting outside of his remit as Commander-in-Chief.
The writer accused Granger of meddling too much in the daily affairs of the GDF and complained particularly about changes with regards to promotions, retirement and interdiction of ranks. “It is even troubling that the Central Management Committee, the decision making organ of the GDF is silent on these serious matters,” the person had written.
The Ministry of the Presidency emphasised yesterday that the Head of Government, since Independence, had been Chairman of the Defence Board and Minister of Defence and his duties are detailed in the Defence Act, Chapter 15:01 of the Laws of Guyana.
It said that over the years, there has been organisational neglect which caused the destruction of the National Cadet Corps and the near extinction of the GDF Reserve Force (Guyana People’s Militia). “Additionally, it is a known fact that defence operations and training had been neglected during the former administration in the years 1992-2015,” the statement said.
It added that since taking office, there have been regular annual exercises such as Exercise Green-heart and Exercise Iron-weed which were restarted under the APNU+AFC administration.
The statement pointed out that in his private capacity, before entering office, Granger compiled a book ‘Values and Standards of the Guyana Defence Force’ in wake of the murder of persons in the Essequibo River by members of the Coast Guard. Granger rose to the rank of brigadier in the GDF and served as its Commander.
“Needless to say, since 2015 there have been a plethora of changes in the GDF including improvements to the Basic Recruitment Course. Officers are now being trained in equitation to enable them to conduct horseback patrols,” the statement said.
“The GDF has been able to acquire engineer’s equipment from the People’s Republic of China which are being used to build roads; maritime patrols not limited to Operation Ocean Guard aimed at continuous aerial and maritime surveillance of the coastline and territorial waters have increased and have led to the suppression of piracy,” it added.
It said too that operational deployment along the country’s western border has been strengthened under Operation Armadillo which was launched to respond to threats posed by criminal gangs along the borders and to protect the country’s frontline villages.
“This operation has resulted in a reduction in reports of assaults by foreign ‘Sindicato’ gangs and has since reinforced border security,” the statement said.
“It should be noted that all of the changes have been made on the direction of the GDF Board and is the full understanding of the Chief of Staff to improve the efficiency of the Force. Had there not been changes to the GDF, it would be deemed a dereliction of the President’s duty not to correct the bad practices which have damaged the reputation of the Force,” it emphasised.
