To cheers in the Guyana Defence Force’s Camp Ayanganna auditorium President Donald Ramotar yesterday announced a “one-month pay” to members of the Disciplined Forces.
The Government Information Agency said that he informed that instructions had already been passed for the Ministry of Finance to ensure that the payments are available before the Christmas holiday.
It has become customary for the Commander-in-Chief to announce a one-month bonus in December.
The announcement came at the force’s Christmas luncheon commonly referred to as Soldiers’ Day, where senior ranks serve meals to junior officers and civilian staff.
GINA said that Ramotar participated in the tradition of the serving officers whom he lauded for sacrificing time away from home and family for the defence of the nation.
GINA said that reference was made to the “hostile demonstration in Linden during July where the army was called in to support efforts to restore law and order after the town was cut off by protestors blocking the main access points.”
According to GINA, Chief of Staff, Commodore Gary Best said that the force is “particularly pleased with the support received this year from the Government which he assured will continue in years to come.”
GINA noted that the army’s mandate was being supplemented by its role in the Joint Services, to maintain law order in the country but that with poverty, transshipment of narcotics and access to science and technology, President Ramotar sees the need for the force to adapt.
“We cannot only see ourselves as only defenders, but we have to understand the purpose of the things we are doing, and that is to create a secure environment for us to have progress and development in Guyana,” President Ramotar said, according to GINA.
