FIU Director, deputy to begin work soon

The new Director of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) Matthew Langevine and his deputy Abiose Thomas will assume duties by September 19, as they have both entered into separate contracts with the Finance Secretary, Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock

FIU Director Matthew Langevine
FIU Director
Matthew Langevine

Isaacs said.
At its last sitting before the August 8 recess, the National Assembly had unanimously appointed Langevine to the post of FIU director and Thomas as deputy director. Recommendations for the appointment were made by an Appointments Committee of the National Assembly.
Langevine and Thomas’ appointments follow a recommendation of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (Amendment) Act 2015, Act No. 1 of 2015 to select and endorse persons for the appointment as director, deputy director, attorney and accountant to FIU.
The FIU functions in collaboration with the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and the Ministry of Finance in identifying and tracking persons fingered in financial illegalities.
The Parliamentary Committee consists of government ministers, Chairperson George Norton, David Patterson, Amna Ally, Annette Ferguson, Cathy Hughes, and PPP Members of Parliament Gail Teixeira, Dr Clive Jagan, Ganga Persaud, Bishop Juan Edghill.
According to the Committee Report, Langevine was shortlisted from a list of 17 candidates who applied for the position. The initial list of 17 candidates was shortlisted to three. It was decided that he was the most suitable for the position. His selection is subsequent to several rounds of due diligence exercises and interviews.
The committee, which was also mandated to select a suitable candidate for the post of deputy director, decided on the current legal adviser Abiose Thomas.
Langevine has worked in the local banking industry for several years.
The last functional head of FIU was Paul Ghir.
The Financial Intelligence Unit of Guyana is an autonomous body responsible for requesting, receiving, analysing and dissemination of suspicious transaction reports and other information relating to money laundering, terrorist financing or the proceeds of crime.  It was established and operates within the ambit of the Anti Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Act (AMLCFTA) 2009 and its Regulations.