–says perpetrator will be subject to disciplinary action

THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) confirmed Thursday the authenticity of a video going the rounds on social media showing one of its ranks pilfering fuel from a service vehicle near a military installation.
The video at reference, the army said in a release, was made as a means of substantiating the commission of the crime.

Noting that it is unfortunate that evidence of the theft was “shared in the public domain,” the army said that had it not been for the electronic tracking device installed in the vehicle, they would have been none the wiser that something was amiss.
The device, it said, was implemented to improve accountability and management of its “Defence assets”.

“After being alerted of an anomaly by our tracking system, the rank was caught in the act by a superior officer, and has since been processed for disciplinary action,” the army said, adding: “The Force, therefore, wishes to assure the public that this interception is a success story of the measures taken to improve our accountability for our assets, and we continue to derive benefits from the complementary deployment of appropriate technologies over the past year.”

In closing, it said: “The Force will continue to swiftly address any illicit activities by its ranks, and remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, as the People of Guyana deserve no less.”
It said, too, that in furtherance of its service to the nation, “the Force takes the opportunity to acknowledge the sacrifices and selfless service of all of its officers and ranks, and to thank the People of Guyana for their continued trust.”