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The ban on cars 8 years and older is an abuse of power

Mar 28, 2017 Letters

Dear Editor,
Recently I was trying to figure out the government’s rational on the ban of vehicles 8 years and older and just could not find any plausible reason.
The government is claiming that it is to protect the consumers and is in keeping with the country’s plan to pursue a green economy. To me this is just a total abuse of the possession of power therefore making this part of the Customs Act arbitrary and capricious.
This decision was definitely made without adequate consideration. How does this protect the consumer? How does this act contribute to a greener economy? What the government should have considered is holding the car dealers liable. Make them offer reasonable guarantees to the consumers. Not just a few months on the engine and transmission. How can government know if a 2008 car affects “a greener economy” more than a sand truck blowing black smoke all the way from the highway to Georgetown.
The only way to know is to subject that 2008 car to an emissions test. By the way, a friend of mine just brought his 2010 SUV to Guyana after it repeatedly failed the emissions test in the US. Now this is confirmation that the Act is baseless and irrelevant. I will like the Minister of Finance and the Commissioner of GRA to explain why this 2010 SUV can be imported without restrictions and a 2008 car is restricted.
Why not have the importer of the older vehicle provide documentations that the car has passed the emission test within the last 6 months or better yet have the government of Guyana test the vehicles prior to allowing them on the streets. Then they will have a true basis for rejecting the importation of such a vehicle. But to confiscate and dispose of a vehicle in the manner the government is threatening is simply an abuse of power.
In the absence of scientific evidence (emissions testing) I will say that my father’s 1974 Ford does not affect the green economy any more than a 2010.vehicle. Honourable Minster of Finance and the Commissioner of GRA, I challenge you both to show why this new customs act is notarbitrary and capricious and how does it protect the consumers or the environment in any way.
Doc Jay

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