The Bureau of the Caricom Council for National Security and Law Enforcement (CONSLE) agreed Friday to undertake a comprehensive audit of the Caricom Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (Impacs).
The council took the decision during a video conference involving National Security Minister Brigadier John Sandy; Adriel Braithwaite, Attorney General of Barbados; Clement Rohee, Minister of Home Affairs of Guyana; Dwight Nelson, Minister of National Security of Jamaica; acting Caricom Secretary General Ambassador Lolita Applewhaite; and Astona Browne, chair of the Management Committee.
Dr Errol Cort, National Security Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, chaired the conference.
The action follows a report in the Sunday Express newspaper that exposed allegations of corruption against the agency and its executive director, Lynne Anne Williams.
The agency denied the newspaper's allegations. However, top officials decided to investigate.
A statement issued by Caricom Friday stated that the Bureau of Consle has decided an independent firm would audit the agency.
The agency denied the newspaper's allegations. However, top officials decided to investigate.
A statement issued by Caricom Friday stated that the Bureau of Consle has decided an independent firm would audit the agency.
The statement added that the Bureau of CONSLE will be meeting again shortly to determine what further action should be taken based on the results of the preliminary investigation.
"The Bureau will continue to ensure that the Caribbean Community's security agenda, which is implemented by Impacs as well as other agencies and institutions within the security architecture of the Community, is in no way compromised," Caricom stated.
Both Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Attorney General Anand Ramlogan have expressed deep concern about the allegations.
Both Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Attorney General Anand Ramlogan have expressed deep concern about the allegations.
Ramlogan's position is that the allegations must be thoroughly investigated and anyone found culpable should feel the full brunt of the law.
He is particularly disturbed by reports that his office was brought into disrepute by a former employee at the agency who was fired for fraudulent activities and who implicated his office in an attempt to defraud the agency of $440,000.
He is particularly disturbed by reports that his office was brought into disrepute by a former employee at the agency who was fired for fraudulent activities and who implicated his office in an attempt to defraud the agency of $440,000.
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