An official of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) who has been part of the processing of applications for duty-free concessions has told Stabroek Business that the high degree of distrust of middle level and junior officials functioning in some departments has created “an unacceptable situation” that is poisoning the work environment.
Stabroek Business has spoken with two GRA functionaries in the wake of a report published in last Wednesday’s issue of the Stabroek News pertaining to the assigning of senior officers to ensure that junior functionaries apply the relevant procedures and processes in the wake of a duty-free scam within the department unearthed in May this year. The employee who claims to have been involved with the processing of applications for duty-free concessions told Stabroek Business that the level of mistrust had now reached a point where “the people at the top clearly don’t trust those who have to do the day-to-day work.” The employee told Stabroek Business that while there is no doubt that functionaries within the GRA have been involved in “rackets” those members of staff who are currently being “watched” by senior officials feel decidedly uncomfortable since they believe that they are not trusted. “It really makes no sense in having people work for you if you don’t trust them.
People should not work with the Authority if they