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EVEN with the assurance that an imminent threat to the nation is highly unlikely, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has been loyal to its mandate to secure the country’s frontier. But its Commander-in-Chief, President Donald Ramotar, has highlighted several other challenges confronting the force that are not only confined to state security.
Having addressed several global issues, such as the threats of climate change, armed conflicts currently ongoing in Syria, Mali and Egypt, where innocent civilians are losing their lives, and trafficking of arms and narcotics, President Ramotar told soldiers at Camp Ayanganna yesterday that the force must be prepared to deal with “other national security issues.”
Speaking at the force’s Annual Officers’ Conference, themed “Consolidating and Modernising the GDF for Total Defence,” the Commander-in-Chief highlighted the need for ongoing training in the force with the goal of professionalism, and the use of modern technology in mind.
“An officer of the GDF must have a deeper understanding of the problems and the challenges we are facing… it is therefore of great importance that we ensure that the image of the GDF as the premier security institution is not just preserved, but is enhanced,” President Ramotar said.
He pressed the need for careful allocation of resources that are critical to the work of the army in prompting security, and was concerned about capital at the force’s disposal that was rendered useless.
“I urge you to look at the Auditor General’s report on the military and see the great room you have for improving the use of our scarce resources. Many of the very expensive equipment, including boats, aircraft, vehicles… many of them have too long down-time periods and other equipment are not always being used at their best,” President Ramotar said.
It is the army’s resources that would equip them to strengthen air and marine security against piracy at sea and smuggling, which made headlines in Guyana last year.
“Our national resource sector is making an increasingly larger contribution to our economy and our welfare. It therefore demands heightened security attention… every section of the force has an indispensible role to play. Air surveillance must be institutionalised and civil aviation must embrace fully security consciousness in its remit,” President Ramotar said.
Only Wednesday, he met with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) to discuss the need for heightened security of the mining sector, given its importance to the country’s economy.
Along with its role in the Joint Services, to maintain law order, President Ramotar said the army must also win and preserve the public’s confidence, a view shared by GDF Chief -of -Staff Commodore Gary Best, who implored the force to strive for deeper relations with society.
Even in the face of criticism following reports of misdemeanors by soldiers, the force institutes “national justice procedures” that correct and mitigate such “policy breaches”, according to Commodore Best.
Soldiers were told that polygraph testing for security personnel has become a tool that the region is embracing in the ongoing effort to promote integrity. (GINA)
Having addressed several global issues, such as the threats of climate change, armed conflicts currently ongoing in Syria, Mali and Egypt, where innocent civilians are losing their lives, and trafficking of arms and narcotics, President Ramotar told soldiers at Camp Ayanganna yesterday that the force must be prepared to deal with “other national security issues.”
Speaking at the force’s Annual Officers’ Conference, themed “Consolidating and Modernising the GDF for Total Defence,” the Commander-in-Chief highlighted the need for ongoing training in the force with the goal of professionalism, and the use of modern technology in mind.
“An officer of the GDF must have a deeper understanding of the problems and the challenges we are facing… it is therefore of great importance that we ensure that the image of the GDF as the premier security institution is not just preserved, but is enhanced,” President Ramotar said.
He pressed the need for careful allocation of resources that are critical to the work of the army in prompting security, and was concerned about capital at the force’s disposal that was rendered useless.
“I urge you to look at the Auditor General’s report on the military and see the great room you have for improving the use of our scarce resources. Many of the very expensive equipment, including boats, aircraft, vehicles… many of them have too long down-time periods and other equipment are not always being used at their best,” President Ramotar said.
It is the army’s resources that would equip them to strengthen air and marine security against piracy at sea and smuggling, which made headlines in Guyana last year.
“Our national resource sector is making an increasingly larger contribution to our economy and our welfare. It therefore demands heightened security attention… every section of the force has an indispensible role to play. Air surveillance must be institutionalised and civil aviation must embrace fully security consciousness in its remit,” President Ramotar said.
Only Wednesday, he met with the Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners’ Association (GGDMA) to discuss the need for heightened security of the mining sector, given its importance to the country’s economy.
Along with its role in the Joint Services, to maintain law order, President Ramotar said the army must also win and preserve the public’s confidence, a view shared by GDF Chief -of -Staff Commodore Gary Best, who implored the force to strive for deeper relations with society.
Even in the face of criticism following reports of misdemeanors by soldiers, the force institutes “national justice procedures” that correct and mitigate such “policy breaches”, according to Commodore Best.
Soldiers were told that polygraph testing for security personnel has become a tool that the region is embracing in the ongoing effort to promote integrity. (GINA)
