GUYANA Defence Force (GDF) Colonel Nazrul Hussain, is now Inspector-General of the army, which is equivalent to the Deputy Chief-of-Staff, sources have confirmed.Colonel Hussain heads the Department of National Events at the Ministry of the Presidency. Brigadier Patrick West, who previously held the post of Inspector-General, was promoted on Tuesday as the new Chief-of-Staff by President David Granger.

Brigadier West was also conferred with the National Award, the Military Service Star (MSS) in recognition of his 33 years of dedicated service to the Force. Brigadier West takes over command of the force from Brigadier George Lewis, who was sworn in on October 3, 2016.

Colonel Hussain is tasked with the planning and execution of all national events in the country. President Granger had noted that national events are occasions for the country and Guyanese people to feel pride and patriotism for and the events must therefore be planned and executed in such a manner, that those feelings are expressed and felt by all Guyanese.