Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Khurshid Sattaur on Wednesday said that the organisation will shortly occupy the portion of the Lamaha Street railway embankment controversially constructed for it by Chinese company Baishanlin.
The lot has been designated for parking by GRA staff and members of the public and has attracted controversy for several reasons. Observers point out that persons using this parking lot would have walk more than two blocks to get to the GRA Head Office. Further, the manner in which Baishanlin was retained to build the lot raised questions. The GRA said that Baishanlin volunteered to do the parking lot and that a fee would then be charged to the GRA for its use. Critics have said this is highly improper given that the GRA has to preside over the tax commitments of the Chinese company. The critics say the tax collecting body should not be accepting works done like this on its behalf but should put such projects out to tender.
A GRA statement on Wednesday said that development of the area was delayed due to inclement weather and what it said was “incredulous systematic criticism being leveled against the company which as a civic duty, willingly engaged in the works to have in excess of 400 parking lots made available to the GRA staffers and the public.”
To further ease the traffic congestion in the vicinity of the GRA Head Office on Camp Street, Sattaur said that the organisation also plans to make available the location adjacent to the St. Margaret’s Primary School on Camp Street, which is currently being used for parking by staff, to persons conducting business with the GRA for a small fee.
Sattaur expressed the hope that taxpayers would take advantage of the initiative to ease their parking woes.
The GRA statement followed a news item in Monday’s edition of Stabroek News noting that the parking lot was ready for use but that Sattaur remained mum on the development and continuing questions about the propriety of the arrangement in light of recent controversies surrounding the Chinese company.
The GRA statement on Wednesday also encouraged taxpayers to take advantage of the internet and other options that have been provided through partnership with Demerara Bank Limited, the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry, Republic Bank (telebanker), Bill Express and Mobile Money Guyana to pay taxes and purchase motor vehicle licences as this would further ease congestion at the GRA Head Office on Camp Street.
The GRA said that to date a number of taxpayers have been using the payment options provided and the numbers are increasing weekly.
Taxpayers can call our hotline on telephone number 227-6060 for more information, view our YouTube channel or visit our website www.gra.gov.gy .
