Mr. Sattaur and those duty-free SUVs

Sep 18, 2014 Letters

Dear Editor,
It is well established that successful countries have been able to reach where they are because of their effective laws. Simple things like sorting garbage, running a red light and even ethical behaviour in public office are taken quite seriously.
Take the US for example. We read of one Guyanese running for office in New York who was accused of misusing campaign financing. Sometimes police investigators and the FBI take months, even years to prepare their case, as evidenced by that of Guyanese-born real estate magnate, Ed Ahmad. The system appears to work.
Nearer to home, the region can well take a page from Trinidad and Tobago which has led the way in tackling corruption and wrongdoing. More than a dozen ministers have been sacked or resigned over the last few years under the woman-led administration.
We come to Guyana and one cannot but help conclude we have a country where the Constitution, the law of the land, takes a back seat. It seems that people take for granted that somebody’s hands have to be greased for even the smallest of things.
Guyana has been reading about the investigations ongoing into possible fraud in the duty free concessions of remigrant vehicles.
GRA and its boss, Khurshid Sattaur, have been telling Guyana how it is serious about weeding out corruption and ensuring that taxpayers are not short-changed.
We learnt recently with interest that two Lexus’ were seized over possibilities of wrongdoing. While one can argue and comment on the timeliness of this GRA seizure, it can also be seen in some quarters that Mr. Sattaur is serious. He said that he started to investigate those Lexus’ after reading a letter in the Guyana Chronicle.
Well, Mr. Sattaur, Guyana is a small country. It is well known that there are many high-end vehicles in the country that came in under questionable circumstances. Most came under the remigrant programme and under the concessions granted for mining and logging. Even a consul officer in Florida is said to have benefitted.
Mr Sattaur, you have publicly stated that you are willing to investigate once the details are provided. Well, Mr. Sattaur, like you, there are good Guyanese who also want to see good for this country.
In light of your promise, Guyana would be more than happy to hear you announce a full investigation into the granting of duty free concession under the various programmes.
Of course, failure to hear you come out openly, I would be more than happy to provide the registration numbers of the vehicles. I do look forward to hearing from you.
Fazil S. Khan

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