GRA rearranges staffers to strengthen integrity
GRA Chairman Rawle Lucas
GRA Chairman Rawle Lucas

By Zena Henry

AT LEAST three mid-level staffers have been rearranged at the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) in what is being described as the “usual re-alignment” of the agency’s resources.
An assistant commissioner, a manager and an official from the agency’s law enforcement department were “adjusted” as the state revenue agency seeks to strengthen its integrity.
GRA Chairman Rawle Lucas told the Guyana Chronicle, that while the rearrangement did not immediately see the dismissal of any staff, it is likely that this could soon be the case.
The chairman explained that the agency is going through a usual staff change and it is likely, “that some persons would be released in the process”.

Lucas said the GRA is keen on strengthening its legal abilities while ensuring the probity of the agency in particular areas of interest.
“We have no major shake-up,” the chairman said, adding: “What we have is the usual realignment of our staff. We are trying to maintain the integrity of the agency and improve its performance in the area of customs.”

The chair also mentioned other adjustments that are being made with regards to law enforcement.
Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia described the adjustments as “a normal rotation of staff so as to align our resources as I see it should be”.
There have been at least three major shake-ups at the state revenue agency following the change in government.

A number of very senior officials received dismissal letters amid breaches of agency regulations, corrupt practices and poor performance, among others.
While some top-level staffers were terminated, some were reassigned and others were promoted.

In the earlier cases of those axed workers, Lucas had cited the unsatisfactory performance of divisions within the GRA and thus announced a major shake-up at the agency.
The dismissal of persons has however caused some panic among staffers, especially for those who GRA sources say may be involved in unscrupulous practices.
A senior official, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, explained that GRA’s top brass has a huge task in addressing the corrupt behaviours of some within the employ of the agency.

“Well the dishonesty of some staffers was evident long before this government and that was one of the areas of concern for the Board and the Commissioner General.”
The staff said that not only were senior officials involved in accepting bribes and other like behaviours, but rackets and other illegal practices were also discovered.
“So of course, as soon as you hear someone got dismissed or there is a repositioning of staffers, some persons start to panic.”

The source mentioned one recent case where the GRA was about to move in on a popular businessman for illegal practices, but had to abandon their actions when it was found that a very senior official within the agency had leaked documents to the said businessman.
This newspaper was told that the regular readjustment of staffers at GRA could be one of management’s best defences against the illegal and sometimes unprofessional behaviour by its staffers.

The source described keeping some employees in line and ensuring their integrity in the performance of their duties as an “uphill task”.

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