With the deadline for acquiring motor vehicle licences fast approaching, the process is not as easy as one would have thought. I turned up at the New Amsterdam branch office of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Wednesday morning, just after 10:00hrs and was met by a large crowd. I could not have stayed since I was on duty. It is quite difficult to be a part of these tiresome and long and drawn out experiences at such offices.
Many motorists, especially car and bus drivers are complaining that their names and information are not in the GRA computer systems in New Amsterdam and that this is additional frustration and complication. Some claim that they have to make trips to Georgetown to have their issues sorted out.
I do not think the June 1 deadline can be met; it is just not possible. Has anyone any idea of the number of motor vehicles in Guyana, and the thousands that join the amount each week?
Every single year this is the situation at the GRA and still nothing can be done to remedy the slothful process of getting the licence when one arrives at the office. This reminds me of the passport office scenario.
It seems that with computerization and technological upgrades at these offices come more confusion than anything else. When computerization was supposed to lend itself to make getting a revenue licence easier at GRA, it seems to have done the opposite.
The result, large crowds spending their day at these offices and the offices being closed for lunch break (at least they could have a shift system for lunch, just for this period).
There are too many applicants who still have not acquired their licences. The experience is too frustrating. Something has got to give.