Minister of Finance Winston Jordan has asked some 20 senior personnel of the Guyana Revenue Authority, who combined have accumulated over 600 days of annual leave, to proceed on leave so that they can “recharge their batteries.”
Speaking to Stabroek News yesterday the minister said he believes that people should take their annual vacations so that they can function more effectively. This newspaper understands that some of the persons have over 200 days of annual leave owed and the minister has asked them to take all the days they are due.
Meanwhile, the minister confirmed that Deputy-Commissioner General Clement Sealy’s contract will not be renewed and after he proceeds on leave at the end of the month he would no longer be part of the GRA.
“His contract ended and in reviewing things I asked him to consider himself no longer being a part of GRA,” the minister said yesterday.
He also said that Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur had requested and was granted three weeks leave to attend to some urgent matters.
“He hasn’t been asked [to go on leave],” Jordan said, “he asked me… He asked for three weeks.
He said he has urgent business to deal with so I consented,” the minister said in response to reports yesterday that Sattaur has been asked to proceed on leave.
Asked if Sattaur is not needed at this crucial juncture of the agency with a new administration in place and the agency being restructured, the minister pointed out that most people request leave in the July/August period and he saw no reason not to grant the Commissioner-General’s request.
“He has urgent business… No matter how many new governments are in office if you have urgent business you ask for… [your leave],” the minister said.
