Nazrul Hussain appointed Director-General of civil defence body

Nazrul Hussain
Nazrul Hussain

Prime Minister Mark Phillips yesterday announced the appointment of Colonel (Ret’d) Nazrul Hussain as Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC).

A release from the Office of the Prime Minister said that the announcement was made during an officiating ceremony at the CDC headquarters in Thomas Lands.

Hussain, who retired in 2019, has 35 years of service in the Guyana Defence Force. He has both local and overseas experience in disaster management, the release said.

Hussain also functions as the Director of the Covid-19 Task Force Secretariat.

During yesterday’s ceremony,  Hussain pledged to “do my best as the Director General”.

Phillips, under whose purview the CDC falls, said that Guyana’s development drive would bring new challenges to the Commission and that the CDC would continue to play a pivotal role in navigating the country through those challenges.

He said that Hussain brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new portfolio and is committed to strengthening disaster risk management and the functions of the commission.

The Prime Minister, who is currently performing the functions of President, also expressed the Government’s appreciation to the outgoing Director-General, Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig, who retired earlier this year.

“As the Prime Minister with the responsibility for disaster risk management in Guyana, I would personally like to thank Colonel Craig for his service not only to the Guyana Defence Force, but also to the Civil Defence Commission. We are thankful for his service, particularly as Director General before he chose to retire”, the release said.

Phillips also announced that Major Loring Benons would continue to serve as the Commission’s Deputy Director-General.