Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman on Monday stated that the Ministry has pledged support to the veterans of the security forces, including providing lands for housing, mining, or farming for them.
Trotman made this statement at the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into the conditions and circumstances facing veterans of the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana Peoples Militia and the Guyana National Service. He stated that he has recognised that the protectors and defenders of the national patrimony must be given an inheritance or parts of that patrimony.
“…they should be guaranteed specific portions that are set aside for this purpose. It may be land that is either in housing, mining, farming or forestry,” he said, pointing out to the Chairman of the CoI that: “as a means of both ensuring access to resources to veterans and for ensuring beneficial occupation of territory, persons may be assigned lands for settlements based on Company or Corps structure”.
He affirmed that in his opinion, service to one’s country is the highest and most important form of service and when that service involves protecting and advancing the values, ideals, symbols and patrimony of the State and people, then it is to be treasured and set apart for the highest commendation.
“It is selfless and sacrificial service that must be respected and rewarded,” he added, stating that these servicemen and women should be honoured for their service to the nation. He stated that the Ministry has several possible perspectives on how it can support the veterans.
Trotman said in terms of mining in particular, many veterans are engaged in obtaining lands; therefore, he opined that mining lands can be set aside for individual servicemen or women or for large groups structured around what is referred to as a syndicate.
Also, he stated, as Guyana develops the concept of generational transfers and sovereign wealth, and in the same way 20 per cent of royalties collected from mining within Amerindian titled villages is set aside, it is proposed for consideration that a percentage of royalties earned be transferred to the Treasury for addition to veterans’ pensions.
The CoI is set up to investigate, examine, and report on the required support to enable the transition from service to civilian life for servicemen and women; the quality of welfare service that promotes independence, maintains dignity, and provides the required support after service; and the eligibility and adequacy of veterans’ benefits.
These benefits include “compensation for disabling injuries, psychological trauma, or a terminal disease resulting from his or her participation in service activities; dedicated counselling and treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder or related conditions; honouring and memorialising of fallen veterans; education, training and skills’ development; facilitation of employment placement; facilitation of or advice on business opportunities; pension; access to healthcare; and housing”.
Retired Colonel Desmond Roberts was sworn in before Georgetown Magistrate Judy Latchman as the lone Commissioner to deliver, within two months, a report on the findings into those matters; and to inquire into all incidental consequential matters connected therewith, to report the findings and conclusions, and to advise the State on the conditions and circumstances facing the veterans”.
The report will be given to President David Granger.
