Limited service was restored to the Guyana Revenue Authority’s (GRA) network yesterday after lightning disrupted communications equipment but the agency has warned of delays in processing transactions.
It has also asked that motorists delay the renewal of Motor Vehicle Licences until service is fully restored to the Licence Revenue Office (LRO). The GRA is considering an extension of the grace period on account of the present service disruption, the entity said in a press statement last evening.
The GRA said the network disruption was caused by lightning which damaged critical communications equipment during the recent inclement weather. The network disruption had forced delays in the delivery of services at GRA offices across the country especially the processing of Customs entries and the sale of Motor Vehicle Licences, it said. The disruption affected the Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS) and the Licence Revenue Processing System (LRPS).
By close of business yesterday, limited service was restored to all locations; however, the processing time for transactions has increased, the statement said.
“Taxpayers, especially importers whose entries were already lodged with the Customs and Trade Administration are being asked to be patient with the expected delays while the backlog of transactions is being processed,” the statement said. It added that in the present circumstances, the GRA will give priority to the processing of transactions that have specific due dates such as VAT, as well as to the processing of imports and exports at the wharves.
The entity expressed regret at the inconvenience caused by the disruption and said that every effort is being made to have the network restored to full capacity in the shortest possible time.
