PRIME Minister Andrew Holness yesterday announced the creation of the Office of National Security Advisor (NSA), and the appointment of Major General Antony Anderson to the post.

Anderson, the chief of defence staff, wiull take up the appointment on December 1.

“Consistent with international best practices in other jurisdictions such as United Kingdom, Canada, United States, India, Australia, and in the pursuance of strategic national security management, the national security advisor is the principal technical advisor to the Government,” a Jamaica House statement said last night.

“The creation of the Office of the NSA is a critical move in supporting and coordinating Jamaica’s national security super structure,” the Jamaica House statement said.

Major General Anderson will advise the prime minister and the minister of national security, through the National Security Council (NSC), on matters of internal and external security affairs, which broadly include defence, crime and security and public safety related policy and strategy, inter-agency cooperation, partner nation engagement and regional and international security.

“He brings to the post the knowledge, expertise, qualification and critical strategic management skills needed to enhance Jamaica’s security framework,” said the statement.

Major General Anderson, who has served as chief of defence staff for six of his 32 years in the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), will be succeeded by Brigadier Rocky Meade.

Brigadier Meade has been deputy chief of defence staff for five years, has served the JDF for 32 years.