This was Published on June 19, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dear\nEditor,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I\nread with surprise a social media post alleging that \u201ctons of documents\u201d were\nremoved from the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) and destroyed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The\nGRA has procedures for the disposal of documents and records and I find the\nstory that several trucks were escorted by GRA enforcement ranks during broad\ndaylight more than a bit implausible. What I can respond to directly however, is\nthe statement in the post that staff were instructed to leave the building at 4\nPM. It just so happens that I arrived at the Camp Street building at 4:10 PM\nand witnessed there numerous staff when I arrived and a lesser number when I\nleft at about 4:45 PM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even\nmaking allowance for the liberality of social media, I think it is really sad\nthat the careers and reputation of anyone, including professionals like\nCommissioner-General Godfrey Statia, could be so easily impugned. It makes me\nrecall how badly the former Commission-er General, the late Mr. Khurshid\nSattaur was treated by the Granger administration on its assumption of office\nand how unceremonious was his departure. I understand that as an act of\nfraternity and professional courtesy, Statia, on his assumption to the top\nposition in the GRA, sought to rectify the injustice done to Sattaur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For\nthis country to move forward, we have to discourage character assassination and\npersonal spite. And importantly, I would caution against any attempt to discredit\nand undermine the country\u2019s main Revenue agency which is an inevitable\nconsequence of the type of post we witnessed on Wednesday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yours\nfaithfully,<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Christopher\nRam <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This was Published on June 19, 2020 Dear Editor, I read with surprise a social media post alleging that \u201ctons of documents\u201d 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 … <\/p>\n