Lawmen hail leadership of Jagdeo at ‘Thank you’ ceremony

The top officials of the different security services on Thursday, November 17, hailed the leadership of their outgoing Commander-in-Chief, President Bharrat Jagdeo at a lavish appreciation ceremony that the media was barred from covering. The event was held at the Police Mess Hall, Eve Leary.

President Jagdeo expressed his gratitude to the Joint Services for hosting such a ceremony in his honour, and said that he cherishes the work that they have done together and the achievements they have realised.

The head of state noted that his interactions with the Joint Services have been predominantly productive, even though there have been instances when he had to speak out on certain issues.

He stated that some heads leave office largely because of the will of the voters, while some are disposed of in other ways in societies that are undemocratic.

He said that on the other hand, he is fortunate that he is leaving office based on the Constitution of Guyana, a change that his signature has brought into being.

“It is absolutely good for Guyana, given our history and given the need for renewal… I depart feeling better about our country… I am pleased that during my tenure, things have changed considerably,” President Jagdeo was quoted in a Government Information Agency (GINA) bulletin as saying.

He recalled the kind of atmosphere that pervaded Guyana when he took office and said that a lot of time has been spent on “settling” this country. He noted that today, the country is much more stable, not as a result of rigid enforcement, but because more Guyanese have a stake in the nation; they are looking to own something such as a plot of land or a vehicle. This stability has led to many overseas- based Guyanese returning home to be a part of the development that is taking place. “I firmly believe that our best years are yet to come; we have worked very hard to restore stability to this land,” the head of state said.

The president said that the Joint Services comprise very special agencies and he has worked to ensure that they are treated as such, even though sometimes he has been taken to task by other agencies because of the increases in allocations.

The president also called on the ranks to be vigilant and take a stand against elements in society who seek to divide the country based on race and religion.

Meanwhile, in a tribute to the outgoing president, Chief Fire Officer Marlon Gentle said that Jagdeo, under whose tenure the Joint Services have benefitted tremendously, has made some indelible marks with regards to Guyana’s development. He made specific reference to the president’s move to have cadets from the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Fire Service and Guyana Police Station trained by the army to boost the human resource pool within this very important security organisation.

Prisons Chief Dale Erskine said this was a very opportune time to reflect on how the Joint Services has moved to a higher level and he too highlighted the developments that the Prison Service has seen, including training (for both officers and prisoners), improved accountability, and resuscitation of the agricultural aspect of the prisons among others.

Police Commissioner Henry Greene said that President Jagdeo’s terms in office has brought tremendous economic success to Guyana, and highlighted some of the novel achievements that he has spearheaded including the Berbice and Takutu Bridges, Guyana National Stadium, road and water distribution networks, hospitals, schools, and his efforts in the area of climate change, which earned him the title “Champion of the Earth”.

Chief of Staff of Guyana Defence Force, Commodore Gary Best in his remarks said that the Joint Services benefitted greatly in the area of intelligence operations, and recalled the expediency with which the president moved to ensure that the army was provided with much needed air transport. “Your leadership to and with the Joint Services has been strong… you brought a perceptive mind to the Joint Services and you kept us united despite the difficulties in Guyana,” Commodore Best said.