National Intelligence Agency Bill to be sent to Parliamentary Select Committee

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.