Recently-appointed Commissioner-General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Godfrey Statia has assured the staff of the agency of an “open door policy” as well as a “resolute stance” against corrupt practices.
The GRA yesterday said that since commencing duties on Monday, Statia, a certified accountant, attorney and former Senior Deputy-Commissioner of the then Inland Revenue Department, has conducted familiarisation tours to get acquainted with staff at the Authority’s Camp Street Headquarters and at the different locations under Customs Excise and Trade Operations.
A GRA press release said visits were made to Q-Trex International, John Fernandes Wharf and Terminal, the Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC), the Guyana National Industrial Company (GNIC), the Muneshwers Wharf, the GRA’s Goods Examination Unit and Scanner Operations at Lombard Street, the Demerara Shipping Company Limited (DSCL), the Customs Boathouse, the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC), the Eugene F.Correia International Airport and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA).
At the sites, the release said, Statia was introduced to the officers whose duties range from examining containerised cargo and ship files to rummaging and reporting of vessels and oil tankers.
He was also updated on plans to improve some of the critical aspects of Customs operations, particularly with the peak season approaching.
Facilities for improved records keeping and staff accommodation, the human resource and training needs, uniformity and promotion of officers were some of the areas targeted, the release added.
According to the GRA, Statia “gave the assurance of his open door policy and his resolute stance against corrupt practices which has tainted the image of the semi-autonomous organisation in the past.”
It added that he encouraged teamwork among junior officers and their senior counterparts, whom he has entrusted with the authority to make even-handed decisions, but also adherence to standard operating procedures as required by the country’s tax, trade and border laws and regulations.
GRA noted that Statia is also scheduled to venture off to the different regions in Guyana where GRA offices are located.
