The Tribune

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

AS efforts are made to establish systems and protocols for the government’s National Intelligence Agency, National Security State Minister Keith Bell emphasised yesterday that the agency is not gathering intelligence at this time.

He added that National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage is currently spearheading efforts to create legislation that will regulate and formally establish the NIA before the end of the year.

His statements to The Tribune came days after FNM Deputy Leader Loretta Butler-Turner said she is concerned that the government will miss its deadline to bring the legislation to Parliament by the end of the year.  

Mrs Butler-Turner had previously raised concerns that the agency may be spying on Bahamians without having the legal mandate to operate in the country.

“The NIA legislation is still being tweaked,” Mr Bell said yesterday.

“Because of the draconian nature of a national intelligence agency we want to ensure we do it right. We could’ve put something together a long time ago, you know, just copy and paste, but we’re not doing that. The minister (of national security) himself has taken personal responsibility of that and he himself is spearheading those meetings to ensure that the Act is fair and transparent and what we envision for the country comes to fruition.”

Mr Bell said meetings are taking place between Dr Nottage and the Office of the Attorney General.  

“(There is) no need for international consultants at this stage,” he said.

When asked if the legislation for the agency will be brought to Parliament in the time frame Dr Nottage has announced, Mr Bell said: “What would you prefer?

“Would you prefer for us to pass legislation tomorrow on it and the legislation is subject to scrutiny and tests and the draconian nature where I could come in your house and I could lock you up and nobody knows where you are? Do you want that or a piece of legislation that is reasonable, that you know exists for the interests of national security in this country?”

When asked if operations are currently taking place under the NIA, he said: “They are not gathering intelligence and not operating. Persons who are a part of law enforcement agencies are looking at and we’re seeking to begin to put systems in place while we work on the legislation, but they are not gathering intelligence.”

He declined to describe the nature of the systems being put in place.

The PLP promised to establish the NIA in its charter for governance ahead of the 2012 general election.

In June, Dr Nottage said while law enforcement agencies currently gather their own intelligence, the NIA would be a hub where they would combine their efforts in order to pinpoint and address threats to the national security of the country.

“The agency is set up to create new and innovative synergies and employ methods and mechanisms geared towards reversing criminal conduct,” Dr Nottage said at the time.

“We indicated that we will constitute a head of law enforcement agencies that includes the police, the defence force, customs, immigration and the agency itself. They meet regularly to discuss national intelligence matters (and) they co-operate with each other. Their job is to know what is going on in the Bahamas. The agency is responsible for the strategic oversight of intelligence and to create proactive solutions to perceived threats to our commonwealth. It stands to become the country’s premier intelligence body.”