The new APNU+AFC government has taken a decision not to completely scrap the Central Intelligence Unit (CIU) but would be incorporating it into a broad security agency that will be established soon, according to President David Granger.
Asked yesterday at the swearing in of ministers what would become of the unit, which was shrouded in secrecy by the former Donald Ramotar administration, he said, “we are going to establish a National Security Agency (NSA) and that section will be incorporated into the NSA”.
The Ramotar government had installed a number of CCTV cameras around the city. There was no clear indication from the beginning as to their purpose.
The project has been shrouded in secrecy, with little information being released to the public. Granger himself had expressed concern about the installations as Opposition Leader.
It was later announced that a live feed from those cameras was going to the CIU, which is located in the compound of Castellani House, on Vlissengen Road.
The cameras have been placed in high traffic areas but despite several crimes being committed in the vicinity, footage has not been successful in solving major crimes.
It was announced at one time that police were accessing the live feed but this too was shrouded in secrecy.
There is still no information on the unit’s mandate, composition and the legal framework for its operation. Stabroek News had attempted to find out from the former Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee to no avail.
