AFTER police detained four employees of the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) on Monday for allegedly taking brides in two separate incidents, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Mahender Sharma yesterday declared that the agency is cooperating fully with the relevant authorities on the issue, as well as carrying out its own independent investigation.

“GEA will not tolerate corrupt practices by their employees in the execution of their duties, neither will they renege on their policy to stamp out fuel smuggling in any form,” the GEA said in a press release.
The four employees, three field officers and a driver, who are employed under GEA’s Fuel Marking Programme (FMP), were taken into police custody and questioned on Monday after being accused of accepting a bribe of $1.5M to turn a blind eye on what was thought to be smuggled fuel.
According to the GEA statement, the agency has continuously monitored activities, work ethic, conduct, successes, failures and subsequent investigations of reports of corrupt practices, and will continue to do so.
It further stated that the FMP was implemented as a means of combating fuel related tax losses, and has enabled authorities to reduce the incidence of fuel smuggling in the country and recover revenues that would have been lost through illegitimate sales and tax evasion.
“Hence, the constant monitoring and maintenance of the integrity of the FMP is absolutely necessary for the continued success of the programme,” it said.
Sharma stated, in the press release, that the GEA takes its mandate to stamp out fuel smuggling very seriously and therefore will continuously seek to ensure that the integrity of the system, and by extension, the officers employed under the FMP, be maintained.
The GEA, while expressing thanks to  those who continue to support its fight against fuel smuggling, is encouraging  all persons who may have information relating to fuel smuggling and possession of illegal fuel to contact the agency at 226-0394 or 624-5905.