-to probe conditions affecting GDF veterans, GNS conditions

RETIRED Guyana Defence Force Colonel Desmond Roberts will today be sworn in by Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman as the Commissioner identified by the Guyana Government to examine, advise, and report on the conditions and circumstances facing veterans of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).A former Director General of the Guyana National Service (GNS), Roberts will also submit recommendations regarding the conditions and circumstances surrounding the GNS.

Fifty years ago, the now 71-year-old Roberts had been the first person to hoist the Golden Arrowhead in the National Park when Guyana gained Independence in 1966. In that year also, he led his platoon to the border with Venezuela after the Guyana half of Ankoko Island had been occupied by the Venezuelan National Armed Forces (FAN).

He was promoted to the rank of Major in May 1973, and was designated the first military director of the Guyana Youth Corps (GYC). He became Assistant Director General of the Guyana National Service (GNS) in 1974; Deputy Director General in 1976; and Director General during the period 1979-81.

As Director General, he was instrumental in launching the International Association of National Service Organisations (IANSO) in Lusaka (1980).

Roberts was appointed military attaché to Brazil (1982-1984), but functioned out of the Defence Secretariat. In 1984, he was given the responsibility of coordinating the North Korean, Guyanese and UNEP consultant terms in constructing the small Eclipse Falls Hydropower project; and in 1986 he served as Commander, Administration and Logistic, until 1990 when he retired.

Roberts organised the first GDF Athletics Sports in 1967, and served as President of the Amateur Athletic Association of Guyana (1976-1979 and 1986-1989), managing a team to the Seoul Olympics (1988); President of the Masters Athletics Association (1982-1989); and Vice-President of the Guyana Badminton Association.

Ae former Queen’s College student, Roberts was trained at Mons Officer Cadet School in 1965, and joined the newly-formed GDF, subsequently attending the Advanced Infantry Commander (UK) and Army Command and Staff Course (Nigeria).

He received his degree in Finance, along with several awards, from the University of Maryland in 1993; and the Master of Urban Planning and Management degree at the New School University in Manhattan.