Border consolidation high on agenda, modernisation of GDF underway

Commander of Chief of the Armed Forces, President Irfaan Ali said Monday that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is being modernised with increased focus placed on border consolidation.

Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony for the new Brickdam Police Station, President Ali said the army’s assets, infrastructure and human capacity are being enhanced as well as its resources to ensure effective monitoring of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), using modern technology.

“The Guyana Defence Force…we are modernising. We are focusing a lot on border consolidation. Looking at our assets, infrastructure and people. Repositioning our assets, infrastructure and people. Building out new assets, new capability, enhancing our Coast Guard to effectively monitor our EEZ,” President Ali said.

At the same time, President Ali said the GDF aviation and technology sectors are being upgraded.

“We are bringing in a modern drone system and modernising our aviation section and our air capability enhancement. We are building out our hardware and software through enhanced technology,” he said.

According to President Ali, the efforts form part of the government’s move to enhance the country’s security services allowing accessibility across the country in executing their duties.

“Building out infrastructure and capability that will give us greater mobility and enhance our accessibility across the country,” he noted.

Guyana was recently forced to beef up security at its border following a dispute with neighbouring Venezuela over the Essequibo region.