… National Intelligence Centre gets $12.5M

THE capacity of the National Intelligence Centre (NIC) to undertake its mandate, including utlising technology for air reconnaissance, will be boosted in 2019 after funds budgeted under the Ministry of the Presidency were green-lighted in the National Assembly on Monday .

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon said during the consideration of the estimates of the 2019 National Budget by the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly that the budgeted sum will cater for the creation of an offline back-up system for the storage of critical data for closed circuit television (CCTV) sites. A sum of $12.5M has been budgeted to fund the project.

Harmon explained that information is stored in a command centre but he noted that the storage capacity is not enough for revisiting footage. Essentially, he noted, the facility is an “offline back-up system.” During questioning, Harmon said too that the equipment being catered for will provide for coverage throughout the length and breadth of the country. In addition, he said it is a brand new minibus for undertaking global strategic management investigations.

Government has been undertaking projects to enhance the capacity of the NIC, which is headed by Retired Brigadier Bruce Lovell. The allocations for the centre are part of wider efforts to improve security in and around the country.

Meanwhile, the Committee of Supply approved the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) capital expenditure of $1, 0142, 500 Billion and current expenditure amount of $12,977,028 Billion. In response to queries raised about the sum and staffers allocated to the Civil Defence Commission, Minister Harmon confirmed that the agency was now under the responsibility of the GDF. The increase in salaries was attributed to the increase in staff for the army.

The minister also informed the House, that the GDF utilises more local produce in order to decrease dependency on imported foods. The GDF is self-sufficient in pork, eggs and 20 per cent sufficient in poultry, owing to its Land of Canaan farm. According to Minister Harmon, the facility also serves as a teaching aid for students. The committee was also informed that the allocations for marine development include rehabilitation of the Ruimveldt female coast guard quarters, the Morawanna base, the Eteringbang Boat House and trailers for rapid deployment of the metal shark fast patrol boats.

It was also clarified that two Highlander aircraft, costing US$300,000 each, were delivered and are being dismantled for a thorough inspection, in keeping with the requirements of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority. The examination is being done at a cost of US$14,000 each. Two Skyvans are also expected to be delivered in the next few months. The aircraft fleet will be further supplemented by military spec/type drones to boost coastal and riverine security.

Additionally, the Committee of Supply also approved $2,112,351,000 for the Ministry of Presidency’s 2019 current spending in the areas of policy development and administration. Asked about the employment details for four additional staffers, by opposition member Juan Edghill, Minister Harmon said, “There is no increase since there is a reduction. The figures will show rather than 217 there are 202 because 15 of these staff have actually moved from here to Department of the Environment.”

MP Edghill also sought information relating to the number and age of contracted employees, and whether the Ministry of Presidency was in compliance with the Public Service Commission’s rules governing such employment. “We are in compliance and there is no requirement for age… the employees provide a particular skill we are looking for and therefore that requirement of being under the age of 45 is not applicable…” Minister Harmon said.

In addition, the Minister of State, responding to MP Anil Nandlall’s question on the allocation of $29,300,000 for the maintenance of other infrastructure at the ministry, said the sum represents continued spending to upgrade the presidential complex.
“This is not a new project. This is work that will make the presidential complex better secured and prevent the effects of flooding. In 2015 we encountered flooding which caused the loss of documents on the bottom floor because the revetment was poor….

We are ensuring the presidential complex looks presidential. This project also covers Castellani House and BIDFORD, now the Stephen Campbell House which accommodates the Ministry of Citizenship…” Minister Harmon explained. Among the works identified by the Minister of State is the construction of a concrete fence around the Presidential Complex. This, Minister Harmon assured was in keeping with the regulations of the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board.