Dear Editor,

Please permit me to focus on the results of the Customs House Brokers’ examination held on October 26, 2009, at the Regency Suites, 98 Hadfield Street, Werk-en-Rust, Georgetown.

Eighty four (84) applicants were listed and gazetted; Guyana Chronicle Friday October 23, 2009 page 20. The examination results issued in December 2009, however, indicated that eighty five (85) applicants (#102601-102685) had written the October 26, 2009 examination. This result was printed and issued on a colour coded sheet by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) ‘Custom & Trade Administration Training & Development Department’.

For the above violation of the gazetted list, the GRA Examination Bureau must give a proper explanation; indicating the over-riding laws (Amendment) For Regulation 204D, Ch.82:01 of the Customs Act.

Secondly, independent analysis of the results issued by the GRA Examination Bureau indicates that 9.4% of the applicants passed and 90.6% failed the October 26, 2009 Custom House Brokers Examination. Eight (8) passes and seventy seven (77) failures respectively. Using a grade point average as set out in the legal framework Regulation 204B, Section a-iv of the Customs Act Ch.82:01.

Nevertheless, the GRA went ahead and issued a listing in the Guyana Times dated February 21, 2010 page 5, stating that ten (10) applicants representing 11.7% passes are now being investigated to be issued with Certificates (licences).

Finally, it is my view that the GRA listing in the Guyana Times of February 21, 2010 indicating that ten (10) applicants have passed the October 26, 2009 examination is inaccurate and misleading and that the GRA must correct the same using Regulation 204B Ch.82:01 Custom Act as their guidance.

Yours faithfully,
R Thompson