GRA fires another senior Customs Officer as major shake-up continues

• Head of Customs and Head of Human Resources were also fired yesterday

The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has terminated the services of another senior Customs Officer, Navin Sankar.

INews was reliably informed that Sankar’s services were terminated simultaneously with the  firing yesterday of Head of GRA’s Human Resources Management Division Ms Archana Joshi and the Head of Customs, Jameel Baksh.

Sankar’s services at Customs were previously terminated under the Bharrat Jagdeo administration but he was rehired under the Donald Ramotar administration. INews has, so far, been unable to ascertain the reason(s) for the termination of Sankar’s services. In 2014, Sankar was involved in an alleged duty-free concession scam that involved the payment of duties on two luxury SUV vehicles. In August of 2014, he was involved in a standoff with other GRA officers that lasted for several hours, when the officers turned up at his home to seize the luxury vehicles.

Meanwhile, GRA Chairman Mr. Rawle Lucas yesterday indicated that  the Authority was not satisfied with the manner and extent to which revenue was being collected in the Customs Division and the conditions under which staff members were working.

INews understands that Mr. Fitzroy Corlette, who has been functioning as Head of Projects will head the Law Enforcement Division while International Trade Lawyer, Lancelot Wills will take over the Customs portfolio.

Deputy Commissioner for Taxes, Ms. Hema Khan, has been promoted to the position of Deputy Commissioner General.

INews will bring you further information on the unfolding drama at GRA.