Dear Editor,
I read with surprise a social media post alleging that “tons of documents” were removed from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and destroyed.
The GRA has procedures for the disposal of documents and records and I find the story that several trucks were escorted by GRA enforcement ranks during broad daylight more than a bit implausible. What I can respond to directly however, is the statement in the post that staff were instructed to leave the building at 4 PM. It just so happens that I arrived at the Camp Street building at 4:10 PM and witnessed there numerous staff when I arrived and a lesser number when I left at about 4:45 PM.
Even making allowance for the liberality of social media, I think it is really sad that the careers and reputation of anyone, including professionals like Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia, could be so easily impugned. It makes me recall how badly the former Commission-er General, the late Mr. Khurshid Sattaur was treated by the Granger administration on its assumption of office and how unceremonious was his departure. I understand that as an act of fraternity and professional courtesy, Statia, on his assumption to the top position in the GRA, sought to rectify the injustice done to Sattaur.
For this country to move forward, we have to discourage character assassination and personal spite. And importantly, I would caution against any attempt to discredit and undermine the country’s main Revenue agency which is an inevitable consequence of the type of post we witnessed on Wednesday.
Yours faithfully,
Christopher Ram
