The Guyana Revenue Autho-rity (GRA) says it agrees with the security measures being implemented by the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) but says that the GPOC Chairman acted unilaterally in taking the decision to install cameras in the Customs examination area of the post office.
Commissioner General Khurshid Sattaur is also calling on the Chairman of the GPOC, Juan Edghill for a public apology on claims allegedly made by the chairman on corrupt practices at the GRA.
Sattaur in a press statement yesterday answered claims by the GPOC Chairman on Thursday that customs officials had refused to have cameras placed in their examination area on the grounds that it would violate their privacy.
Sattaur in the statement said that at a recent meeting with the various stakeholders including the GPOC, Ministry of Home Affairs, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) and the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), the GRA reaffirmed its commitment to support measures to eradicate the smuggling of goods and substances including narcotics.
“It is therefore appalling to hear the accusations made by Bishop Edghill when the GRA has been collaborating with all major stakeholders to eradicate illegal activities at ports of entry and exit including the (CJIA) and the GPOC,” he said in the press statement.
“In fact, most of the recent drug busts at the GPOC were made by Customs officials, and handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation and legal action,” he added.
According to Sattaur, the meetings were held to determine the way forward and to outline the procedure which would be taken to implement the additional security measures inclusive of security cameras at the various locations.
“It is surprising therefore that Bishop Edghill chose to ignore the collaborative efforts of the major stakeholders and took it upon himself to implement security cameras within the Customs Area without any consultation and notice”, Sattaur was quoted as saying in the release.
He said that it was also agreed that security cameras would be placed in the examination areas to ensure transparency in the examination process and to minimize attempts at corrupt practices that might result in revenue loss.
It was noted as well by the GRA that even though it agreed with the measures taken, such implementation must be done in accordance with the approved procedures that were determined at the meetings with the stakeholders.
The security cameras were agreed, the release said, while considering security issues, officers’ right to privacy and other ethical issues. It was also realized that the cameras would assist law enforcement agencies in the detection and prevention of smuggling while providing evidence that would support prosecution of offenders.
“Notwithstanding the fact that there are specialized law enforcement agencies to combat illegal trafficking of narcotics, the GRA’s officers are empowered under the laws administered to search, detect, and seize narcotic substances, and have been doing so successfully in the past.
The GRA pointed to the recent implementation of the Total Revenue Integrated Processing System (TRIPS) to cater to risk management, profiling and intelligence.
Sattaur was also quoted as saying that: “Considering the Bishop’s claims of corruption, the GRA wishes to encourage him to report any activities of corrupt practices to the GRA, and to provide evidence of such corrupt practices so that it can be dealt with in accordance with the laws.”
In view of the above, the GRA is demanding a public apology from Bishop Edghill, since it says his accusations can have negative effects on the morale of the staff, thereby affecting their performance and commitment to their job.
“Further, the public and other stakeholders’ confidence in the GRA may be at risk, leading to a breakdown of laws and protocols. Considering that the GRA has exceeded all targets and has intensified efforts to minimize corruption, these misleading accusations will not be condoned,” said the release.
“The GRA is hoping that good sense will prevail, and that the Bishop will make the required public apology, which will serve to foster harmonious relationships between the GPOC and the GRA, and provide the opportunity for the two agencies to continue to work together to achieve common goals.”
