Sunday, January 30, 2011

Cabinet Note 92 recommended Ramnarine as qualified for top SSA post: Report

The Sunday Express reported in its latest edition that it has seen the January 13 Cabinet Note 92, the document that was the basis for the appointment of Reshmi Ramnarine as head of the Security Services Agency (SSA).

The paper said the note provided a short background to the agency's work in tracking the drug trade and providing policy makers with sufficient intelligence to help in fighting crime. 

The agency was established under the former Panday UNC administration and its first director was Lance Selman who held the post from 1996 to March 2000. The Express said the note listed other direcctors as:
  • Serena Joseph-Harris - May to November 2000
  • Rear Admiral Richard Kelshall - November 2000 to March 2002
  • Serena Joseph Harris - June 2003 to June 2010
  • Nigel Clement - April 1 to November 10, 2010
The paper said the cabinet note from the Ministry of National Security detailed the the legal relationship between the Interception and Communications Act 2010 and the urgent need for the appointment of director to head the SSA director to ensure the agency respected the law.

In addition, the paper said Cabinet Note 92 mentioned the increase in murder the need for "immediate initiation and implementation of all of the SSA/SIA resources including the recently legislated capability to intercept communications."

It said the document advised Cabinet that "At present, the interception of communications remains unlawful without the permission of an authorized officer," noting that under the new legislation, the SSA Director is deemed an authorised official.

Ramnarine's CV was attached to the note for Cabinet's consideration, the paper said.

"The Minister of National Security recommends and Cabinet is asked to agree that Ms Reshmi Ramnarine, current acting Chief of Telecom Technology, Ministry of National Security, be appointed as the Director, SSA, for an initial period of six months, with effect from the date of her instrument of appointment," the Express quoted the Cabinet note as saying.

The document also outlined the mandate of the SSA Director "to develop and manage the administrative, investigative and operational activities of the agency so that it effectively and efficiently discharges its legal obligations."

Other responsibliities included accounting and preparation of accounting reports, submission of audited financial statements and "principal adviser to the minister on matters relating to the Act (No.24 of 1995)".

The paper also published what it said are excerpts from Ramnarine's resume:

"In my career at the Ministry of National Security, I have had the pleasure of working directly with many of our regional and international counterparts. 

"I have also had the pleasure of working and training with the British DLO's (Drug Liaison Officers), Israeli Mossad, the Integrated Threat Assessment Centre (ITAC) of Canada and the United States Embassy with regard to examining narcotics trafficking, terrorism and threat assessment, monitoring our borders and key industrial interests and assets.

"I also have had the opportunity to lend my mind and experience to our colleagues in Curacao and also in the Jamaican Defence Force with regard to training in analysis tactics and report writing. 

"I have received specialized training in propriety hardware and software by international companies. Acquiring and streamlining sensitive high priority data for compilation into executive level reports and debriefs.

"Advanced analytical skills which correlate to making split second judgment calls from data at hand. Concise report writing of acquired information for the sole purpose to be used by other actionable elements of the organisation.

"Managerial experience leading and motivating many peer teams of 1-5 personnel simultaneously to accomplish both short and long term projects in accordance with guidance from the director and other executives, project requirements, budgeting per project and overall annual budgets so as to meet target objectives. 

"Effective communication with peers, superiors and subordinates to ensure executive intent, ensuring that all sensitive issues are dealt with both timely and diplomatically."

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Jai & Sero

Jai & Sero

Our family at home in Toronto 2008

Our family at home in Toronto 2008
Amit, Heather, Fuzz, Aj, Jiv, Shiva, Rampa, Sero, Jai