Dear Editor,
I have delayed as long as I possibly could before penning this letter. I am a first time home-owner and took my loan from GBTI, Regent Street branch. As such, I am entitled to benefit from the Mortgage Interest Relief Programme that was approved by the government and executed by the GRA. I commenced my application for this relief about 9 months ago. I have met all the conditions by both GRA and GBTI and was subsequently issued with a letter of approval from GRA.
To date I have not received any financial benefits. I made several visits to both GRA and GBTI and was treated very professionally by their courteous staff who were always helpful.
However, for two well-established organizations that publicly proclaim the service efficiency to clients, this statement is far from the truth in my experience. With regard to information I have received from both GRA and GBTI concerning my application, there seems to be some level of miscommunication between these two service providers. The right hand seems not to know what the left is doing. As a result I have been given information that is disjointed and incoherent by both organizations. My latest meetings with representatives from both parties on Monday, March 16, to my disappointment and frustration have yielded nothing substantial.
My wife and I have put a lot of effort into this venture and I am afraid it will be for nothing. I have always ensured that I pay my monthly instalments on my mortgage and even ensure that the organization which I work for – Guyana Rice Producers Association – deposits my monthly pay cheque so the bank can make their deduction without delay. A representative at GBTI Regent Street branch has asked for another week to see if they can sort things out. They had 9 months. I doubt another week will make a difference.
I recall vividly at the commencement of this programme Mr Khurshid Sattaur, Commissioner General of GRA, stated how uncooperative some of the financial institutions were in responding to the mortgage relief programme. From my experience this attitude has not changed.
In the meantime my benefits under this programme remain at zero, and the government funds are unutilized. I sincerely hope that other applicants under this programme do not suffer the same fate.
Yours faithfully,
Ricky Roopchand
