GEA, GRA in showdown over fuel boat

Mar 23, 2017 News

The fuel vessel that is currently moored at GNSC wharf

A major investigation has been launched into how a fuel boat was allowed to off-load thousands of gallons of fuel within the past 24 hours despite being sealed by the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA).
The boat, Atlantica, reportedly a Panamanian registered vessel, is currently moored at the Guyana National Shipping Corporation (GNSC) wharf.
The fuel on board, estimated at over 700,000 gallons, has a street value of almost $500M.
According to officials who asked not to be named, the off-loading has raised serious procedural questions.
Kaieteur News was told that the vessel landed in Guyana five weeks ago with its crew claiming mechanical problems.
It has remained since then at the GNSC wharf.
About a week ago, the vessel requested permission to transfer its fuel to another vessel named Joobilee.
Officials suspected that it was the really the intention to move the fuel into the local market without the relevant taxes being paid.
The request raised eyebrows and the vessel was placed under the surveillance by the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), the regulator of the fuel sector.
GEA inspectors reportedly found that Atlantica had no importing wholesale licence and therefore would have been breaching regulations by off-loading any fuel in Guyana.
With regards to the vessel, Joobilee, it reported did not have the requisite permits to receive the fuel.
On Monday, representatives of Joobilee reportedly made an application for what is known as Bulk Transportation Carrier Licence and was granted one within 24 hours.
Officials told Kaieteur News last evening that this was highly irregular as a permit like that normally takes about a month, because of the stringent checks and balances in place.
On Monday also, Atlantica for some unknown reasons was reportedly taken into custody and sealed by GRA officers.
However, officials were reportedly tipped off that Atlantica was pumping fuel to Joobilee in a late night operation.
GRA officials had reportedly not given permission and the fuel was not marked by GEA, a procedure that is used to ensure that taxes are paid.
Officials said that everyone relating to the issue of both vessels will have to answer.

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