|
Momodou
Denmark
11634 Posts |
 Posted - 14 Dec 2006 : 16:09:53
|
Foroyaa Editorial
TURNING A NEW LEAF?
The President Is In Command
Section 191 of the constitution establishes the National Intelligence Agency. It states that “There shall be a National Intelligence Agency which shall be under the command of the president.”
The president is in command of the NIA. At this very moment, the operation of the NIA is governed by the National Intelligence Agency Decree of 1995. Even though the Gambia government need so review the decree and submit a bill to the National Assembly for its amendment section 3 gives the NIA the following functions:
“(a) obtain and provide the government with information relating to actions or intentions of persons which may be a threat to state security; (b) protect the security of the state, generally, and in particular, protect the state against threats from espionage, terrorism, and activities relating to sabotage undertaken by Gambians or foreigners, agents of foreign powers, organisations or institutions; (c) take adequate precautions to protect the state against actions which may undermine the government or lead to the overthrow of the government through industrial, violent or other means; (d) take necessary measures to safeguard the welfare and economic well being of persons living in The Gambia, against threats posed by internal or external aggressors; (e) investigate and obtain information relating to the prevention or detection of serious or economic crime; and (f) undertake such assignment as may be assigned to it by Council.”
It is therefore clear that the NIA should be an Apex Institution for National Security which should deal with serious crimes that threaten state security. Even the economic crimes it should deal with should be those that are designed to undermine the economic viability of the state such as money laundering, counterfeiting and so on and cases of drug barons who can establish terrorist gangs to threaten state security.
The new Director General of NIA should prepare a blue print of what a National Intelligence Agency should be for consideration by the executive. The institution needs to define the scope of it operation in relation to other law enforcement agencies so as to avoid duplication of responsibilities.
There is need for clear demarcation of responsibilities so that detention without trial for more than 72 hours will be history unless this becomes history. One cannot claim that the past is no longer with us.
As the president assumes a new term of office we hope it will give rise to a new approach to government.
Source: Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue NO. 112/2006, 11-12 December, 2006
|
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
|
Topic Locked
