In the interest of ensuring that there is fulsome understanding of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) Bill and to afford all stakeholders the opportunity to contribute to its finalisation, the government is ready to send the proposed legislation to a Parliamentary Special Select Committee.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali made the announcement via a post on his official Facebook page.
“I am aware of the importance of this Bill, but equally committed to ensuring the fulsome nature of the Bill is understood and that interested stakeholders be given the opportunity to contribute to it,” the post stated.
Established as Guyana’s National Intelligence Center in 2010 and then renamed in 2017 by the then President, David Granger, the government is now moving to empower the National Intelligence and Security Agency through new legislation.
The National Intelligence and Security Agency Bill was laid in the National Assembly on April 24 by the Attorney General as the government seeks to build the country’s defence.
The proposed bill, published in the official gazette, notes that this agency will further enhance the State’s defence and security policy by coordinating law enforcement activities in relation to national intelligence.
The agency already reports directly to the Commander-in-Chief and President. The proposed legislation notes that the agency will provide national intelligence and security advice to the President, Cabinet and entities in the security sector.
The agency was first established via a Cabinet Paper in 2010 and Brigadier Omar Khan was appointed the Director; after the government changed in 2015, the APNU+AFC government at the time renamed the agency in 2017.
With Brigadier Khan now appointed the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff, it is expected that NISA will fall under new leadership.
