…as inquiry into veterans’ affairs opens

HEADS of security services will be the first to testify when the Commission of Inquiry examining the conditions and circumstances facing veterans of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Guyana People’s Militia and the Guyana National Service (GNS) opens today.The Commission is scheduled to conclude in October. This was announced by Chairman of the Commission, Col. (Ret’d) Desmond Roberts at a news conference at the Department of Public Service in Waterloo Street, Georgetown, where the public hearings will be held.

The first set of persons lined up to be interviewed are the present heads of services, as well as former chiefs of staff of the GDF, including Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Gary Best and Retired Major Generals Norman McLean and Michael Atherly.

“We don’t want to see our veterans on the streets. It happened in several countries where veterans are among majority of the homeless. We do not want to see that in Guyana. We want to provide housing, entrepreneurial opportunities and good jobs if they need it, because they leave at 40 years old, they are still young people,” Col. Roberts said.

Additionally, the Commission will be examining ways to improve the Veteran’s Home and other issues, including the benefits provided to the families of those who are deceased and displaced records of veterans’ contributions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS).

The Commission’s Secretary, Col. Denzil Carmichael informed that so far, 34 summons have been sent out by the Commission to the joint services, the private sector and the private banking institutions. This was followed by a two week sensitisation programme to assist persons in preparing written submissions.

He added that the Commission will be visiting Regions One, Two, Five and Six and the main military bases (Sewayo, Camp Stephenson and Camp Ayanganna) to interact with and get the views of current officers. The Commission will also be working closely with the Guyana Veterans Legion and the Regional Offices to reach out to as many veterans as possible, including those in the hinterland. The Commission will also be hearing from Guyanese veterans living overseas.

The Commission, in a release stated that, “veterans are required to retire when they are still comparatively young and several have been adversely affected by a life of privation, exposure to unhealthy conditions and extended periods of away from home and career development opportunities. Their sacrifice and service to their country should not be ignored.”

Last year, at a Remembrance Day reception, President Granger announced the convening of a National Veterans’ Commission to look into the living conditions of veterans and make recommendations for improvements. On that occasion he also announced the return of a fixed annual State subvention for the Guyana Veterans’ Legion. The Head of State is firmly of the view that young military officers must know that they can look forward to a comfortable and dignified retirement. (Ministry of the Presidency)