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There was a time when Guyana could have been described as a militarised state , because of the number of institutions that were in military fatigues. These ranged from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), primarily responsible for territorial defence; the traditional Guyana Police Force (GPF), that fulfilled the Law and Order requirement; the Guyana National Service (GNS), that was introduced in 1973, to be the vanguard unit for re-fashioning a new Guyanese, dedicated to building and serving the proposed socialist State. There was also the Guyana People’s Militia, that was really another military unit, supplementing the national army.
As is well known, the GNS was essentially a paramilitary unit that offered pioneers, as its members were called, skills-training opportunities, coupled with heavy political indoctrination called national policy. In fact, the latter was compulsory doctrine for the entire state apparatus, especially during the Burnham regime. It must be reminded, also, that this institution, and that of the GPM were fashioned after similar ones in Cuba, and were at the time proudly highlighted as socialist institutions, designed to transit Guyana to its utopia.
But that era has since passed, as both domestic and international conditions that would have influenced their existence have since dissipated, thereby bringing to an end these two reminders, symbolic of a painful era – except that former Brigadier David Granger, still believes that the GPM should be re-introduced “to help boost emergency services”, as he has argued in the private media.
Not forgetting the fact, that he would have been one of the principal architects of conceptualising both the GNS and the GPM, the retired Brigadier’s arguments would appear both compelling and rational, but when carefully scrutinised, such an institution is not necessary, for reasons which are not difficult to comprehend.
First, Granger is offering the re-introduction of what is really a military unit, concomitantly contending that it can be both reservist and part-time soldiers, who can be deployed throughout the various regions for response to emergencies. He cited the recent incidents of floods, arguing “no point in keeping everything in Georgetown.”
Second, the fact is that there is already a standing army, that has units stationed in each region, trained in, and performing, the very essential and emergency services that Granger has presented. He needs to be reminded, that the GDF, has a time- honoured and distinguished record, in rendering such services to communities throughout the hinterland.
Thirdly, he must again be reminded that there is now a constituted Civil Defence Commission, that is the national coordinator for directing efforts and interventions in the event of national emergencies. In fact, having learnt the lessons from the great 2005 flood, this disaster preparedness organisation is now better honed in responding to similar situations.
For instance, in 2012, 412 persons in six regions were trained in shelter management; damage assessmen;, needs and emergency operations management, according to CDC Director, retired Colonel Chabilal Ramsaroop.
Undoubtedly, this corp of trained responders will grow, given time and resources; and certainly removes the need for Granger’s suggestion of GPM part timers/reservists trained in such skills, quartered in the geographic spaces in focus, and ready for action.
Finally, one will recall the prompt response to the Kwakwani and Rupununi floods, compliments of the CDC coordinating its efforts with other agencies to bring relief to affected citizens.
To date, it ranks as perhaps the best response to any such emergency in Guyana, as relief supplies and other much-needed assistance were quickly dispatched.
The CDC has grown appreciably since its formation, and is still building capacity to respond to natural phenomena, and related types, whenever these occur. One must commend its performance, thus far. But certainly, another GPM is not necessary.
Is this a Granger suggestion for State militarisation, in disguise?
As is well known, the GNS was essentially a paramilitary unit that offered pioneers, as its members were called, skills-training opportunities, coupled with heavy political indoctrination called national policy. In fact, the latter was compulsory doctrine for the entire state apparatus, especially during the Burnham regime. It must be reminded, also, that this institution, and that of the GPM were fashioned after similar ones in Cuba, and were at the time proudly highlighted as socialist institutions, designed to transit Guyana to its utopia.
But that era has since passed, as both domestic and international conditions that would have influenced their existence have since dissipated, thereby bringing to an end these two reminders, symbolic of a painful era – except that former Brigadier David Granger, still believes that the GPM should be re-introduced “to help boost emergency services”, as he has argued in the private media.
Not forgetting the fact, that he would have been one of the principal architects of conceptualising both the GNS and the GPM, the retired Brigadier’s arguments would appear both compelling and rational, but when carefully scrutinised, such an institution is not necessary, for reasons which are not difficult to comprehend.
First, Granger is offering the re-introduction of what is really a military unit, concomitantly contending that it can be both reservist and part-time soldiers, who can be deployed throughout the various regions for response to emergencies. He cited the recent incidents of floods, arguing “no point in keeping everything in Georgetown.”
Second, the fact is that there is already a standing army, that has units stationed in each region, trained in, and performing, the very essential and emergency services that Granger has presented. He needs to be reminded, that the GDF, has a time- honoured and distinguished record, in rendering such services to communities throughout the hinterland.
Thirdly, he must again be reminded that there is now a constituted Civil Defence Commission, that is the national coordinator for directing efforts and interventions in the event of national emergencies. In fact, having learnt the lessons from the great 2005 flood, this disaster preparedness organisation is now better honed in responding to similar situations.
For instance, in 2012, 412 persons in six regions were trained in shelter management; damage assessmen;, needs and emergency operations management, according to CDC Director, retired Colonel Chabilal Ramsaroop.
Undoubtedly, this corp of trained responders will grow, given time and resources; and certainly removes the need for Granger’s suggestion of GPM part timers/reservists trained in such skills, quartered in the geographic spaces in focus, and ready for action.
Finally, one will recall the prompt response to the Kwakwani and Rupununi floods, compliments of the CDC coordinating its efforts with other agencies to bring relief to affected citizens.
To date, it ranks as perhaps the best response to any such emergency in Guyana, as relief supplies and other much-needed assistance were quickly dispatched.
The CDC has grown appreciably since its formation, and is still building capacity to respond to natural phenomena, and related types, whenever these occur. One must commend its performance, thus far. But certainly, another GPM is not necessary.
Is this a Granger suggestion for State militarisation, in disguise?
