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Mabaruma residents assured of army’s commitment to its mission
Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best, (centre) is greeted at Mabaruma by Regional Chairman Ferman Singh (far right), and other officials of the community.
“The Guyana Defence Force is committed to its mission of defining aggression and ensuring the stability of the Mabaruma District.”
This was the assurance given by Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best, to the Mabaruma community while meeting with regional officials during a routine visit to GDF ranks at Camp Everard and the community last week.
Commodore Best told community leaders there that issues regarding the security and stability of the Mabaruma District were important, since the community was one of Guyana’s frontline operational border communities.
He indicated that although this was his first visit to the area since assuming leadership of the Guyana Defence Force, there would be many more routine visits by both himself and his commanders in the ensuing months.
Discourses between the Chief of Staff and the leaders revealed some disquiet on the part of the latter concerning the behaviour of some army ranks stationed in the community.
Regional Chairman Ferman Singh said that the community will work with the soldiers to ensure that a climate of mutual respect and cooperation continues.
“They must be the leaders when it comes to demonstrating their discipline and professionalism, and our people must cooperate with them in working to secure the border communities,” Singh said.
Additionally, he is aware that there are disaffected persons in the community who, because they are not allowed to get away with illegal conduct, would seek to disparage the soldiers. In his response, Commodore Best said that his ranks had been appraised of their mission at the location.
“They are going to be much busier from henceforth, and will continue to be held accountable, from their commander all the way down.
“This is an operational location, and while the general protection and preservation of Guyana’s territorial integrity is part of their primary focus, they are not, nor will they be, policemen.
“When out on patrols, they will lend support to the police where such is needed, but they will not act as policemen.”
The Commodore said that an investigation is underway with regard to the incident reported in the press, and those culpable will be disciplined.
“The GDF has a command structure, and that structure will be put to work to investigate the details of every occurrence before conclusions are drawn and decisions made regarding discipline,” he said.
“I will not countenance indiscipline within the force, but at the same time I will not sacrifice our valiant men because of mistaken or misappropriated conveniences.”
The Commodore had earlier been met by a ‘quarter guard’ at Camp Everard. He then held discussions with the location commander and the ranks under his command.
As a result, marine and other patrols are to be stepped up in the area. The soldiers also had an interactive session with members of the force’s welfare department.
Commanding Officer, Infantry Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel George Lewis, and other senior officers accompanied Commodore Best, while the regional delegation comprised the Regional Chairman, Mr. Ferman Singh; Vice Chairman Victor Pierre; Regional Executive Officer (REO) Mary Williams; Deputy REO Nigel Fischer; Toshaos Norman Cox and Edmund Santiago, along with Assistant Superintendent of Police Kevin Adonis.
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