Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner-General, Khurshid Sattaur, has told new staffers that they will commence screening persons months in advance before they are employed with the organisation.

He was speaking at the recent orientation seminar at the Customs Training Room.

The new employees were also encouraged to be honest, loyal and to inculcate the principles of integrity by not indulging in corrupt practices that would tarnish the image of the GRA, like some staff previously did.

The GRA is the prime revenue collection agency that is responsible for collecting 90% of the total revenue of the country.

“The stealing of state revenue is one of the most heinous and obnoxious crimes one can commit, it is an act of treason” Sattaur said.

According to the Commissioner-General, the GRA has implemented a new information technology system which safeguards it against fraud and corruption and which has security features capable of tracking any unauthorised use of the system.

Despite the negative comments made against the organisation, Sattaur stated that he is satisfied with its performance so far.

Sattaur said, “We have managed to sustain high levels of revenue inflow for this year despite the global financial crisis, and I would like to thank those honest staff for making this achievement possible; they are employees that must be emulated”.