The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) says it is taking steps to boost operations to better monitor riverain areas while it advises the public to report persons engaged in “unscrupulous practices.”
The GRA has restructured its intelligence unit and is taking steps through the Millennium Challenge Account programme, to enhance its operations through marine activities. In a press release it said with funding from government it is planning to buy boats to enhance its operations.
Meanwhile the GRA said it continues to partner with businesses and individuals to eradicate trade practices that cheat the government of revenue. It said it relies on third party information to help curb these practices and encourages the public to report incidents.
The GRA said it was alerted to such practices in a letter titled “GRA needs to be more vigilant on Essequibo Coast” in the Friday edition of the Guyana Chronicle. A letter writer had said that the Customs and Trade Administration was not doing enough to curb illegal trade at Charity and the various foreshores along the Essequibo Coast. The writer said too residents and shopkeepers were concerned that no penalties or fines were being instituted against persons dealing in uncustomed goods.