Retired Guyana Defence Force Colonel and former Director General of the Guyana National Service, Desmond Roberts, has been sworn in as Commissioner to examine, advise and report on the conditions and circumstances facing the Veterans of the Guyana Defence Force, the Guyana People’s Militia and the Guyana National Service.

Roberts was sworn in before City Magistrate Judy Latchman in the presence of State Minister Joseph Harmon.

His appointment is in keeping with a motion that was taken to the National Assembly by then Opposition Leader David Granger, calling on the People’s Progressive Party government at the time, to inquire into the manner in which veterans are being treated in Guyana.

Although the motion was passed the PPP government never acted.

Minister Harmon said the government felt that it was necessary to give effect to the resolution.

Colonel Roberts will commence work with immediate effect and public hearings are expected to take place over the next two months.

The Minister said many veterans are basically left destitute after retirement and supported changes in that regard.

Harmon said Guyana must catch up with systems in other countries for the treatment of veterans and ensure that people who gave service to the nation is treated with dignity and pride.

The Inquiry is expected to make clear recommendations for treatment of veterans.

Desmond Roberts was appointed military attaché to Brazil (1982-1984) but functioned out of the Defence Secretariat.

In 1984, he was given the responsibility of co-ordinating the North Korean, Guyanese and UNEP consultant terms constructing the small Eclipse Falls Hydro-Power project and in 1986, he served as Commander, Administration and Logistics, until 1990, when he retired.

Roberts attended the Advanced Infantry Commander (UK) and Army Command and Staff Course (Nigeria).

He received his degree in Finance, along with several awards, from the University of Maryland, in 1993, and the Master of Urban Planning and Management degree at the New School University in Manhattan.

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