Dear Editor,
I wish to respond to a false statement in an article titled “Guyanese Lieutenant Colonel Kester Craig appointed Deputy Executive Director of CDEMA” published by Village Voice on 4th November, 2022. The article claims that Colonel Craig was removed from the post of Director-General of the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) last July by the People’s Progres-sive Party (PPP) Government. That is a blatant lie.
According to the facts, Lt. Col Craig was never removed by the PPP Govern-ment. The records show that Lt. Col Craig tendered his resignation, or according to military terms, requested to be struck off strength, via a letter dated 8th April, 2022. Lt. Col Craig’s resignation was addressed to the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Godfrey Bess, and copied to the Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips and Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Derrick Cummings.
I take the liberty to point out that in Lt. Col Craig’s resignation letter, he clearly stated that he was interested in seeking new opportunities and pursuing his dreams after having spent the past twenty-five years serving the people of Guyana. As a result, Lt. Col Craig requested permission to proceed on pre-retirement leave before his resignation takes effect on 15th February, 2023. In fact, Lt. Col Craig shared his gratitude and pleasure for being able to serve, and he committed to ensuring a smooth transition in handing over operations at the CDC.
Lt. Col Craig remained the Director-General of the CDC and continued to serve in that capacity, even after the new PPP Civic Government took office in August 2020. Lt. Col Craig worked very closely with the PPP/C Government, reporting directly to the Prime Minister on matters under the purview of the CDC, up until he proceeded on pre-retirement leave. I, therefore, hope this clarifies any misconceptions and implore that facts be checked before assertions are made and falsehoods peddled.
Sincerely,
Vanelda Harris
Personal Assistant to the Prime
Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
