By Fareeza Haniff
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Former Parliamentarian of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), James Bond has made it clear that he will be heavily critical of the APNU+AFC coalition government if they do not fire Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), Khurshid Sattaur.
Bond, during his appearance on the radio programme ‘Hard Talk’ aired on 90.1 Love FM on Sunday, June 14, opined that Sattaur is a failure.
“I think Khurshid Sattaur should do the right thing and resign. He should go. I think he is a failure, he has done an injustice to public office and he should go immediately. Were I the President and were I the Minister of State, I would fire him immediately…The very minute I was sworn in, I would have said you sir, should go,” Bond stated.
In September 2014, the Alliance For Change (AFC) had issued a statement, calling for Sattaur to be sent packing, in wake of reports in the Kaieteur News that a number of independent media houses are being targeted by the Revenue Authority for reporting stories that do not find favour with the PPP Civic, which was in government at the time.
The report revealed alleged email exchanges between the GRA Commissioner General, the former Attorney General and others where tax documents regarding the income and expenditure of a number of media houses were sent allegedly by the Commissioner General to government officials.
Meanwhile, Bond also wants Registrar of Lands, Juliet Sattaur to also be fired. He opined that there is gross “incompetence” at the Lands Registry.
“We need to improve our deliverables in terms of efficiency. That place is complete mess. She is another one that needs to go because of incompetence. I think were I the President, I would examine the sloth in which the registry operates.”
Only recently, the legal fraternity expressed deep “dissatisfaction” with the performance of Ms. Sattaur.
Sattaur is a disgrace and a pawn of Jagdeo… the APNU government cannot allow a pawn who is controlled by the former president vindictive jagdeo to hold such a high position … not forgetting he showed favouritism and nepotism employing his family in choice high paying positions at the GRA… a disgrace plain and simple.
U guys claiming that the ppp uses to hand pick people and give threm big job . But u guy doing the same thing.
Mr. Bond. Big nose jordon need to resigned also. Two wrong cannot be right my bro.
The man a good job put lots money in the treasury the some u start theifing now
Bond was not included in the Gov’t so he says he is not God’s gift to politics and he is happy he is not part of Gov’t. So what are you searching for Mr. Bond? I do not think you’re President nor CG material. Mr. Sattaur has done extremely well in transforming the revenue departments in Guyana and to consolidate all the various revenue areas into one controllable machinery. Are we too blind to see that? Gov’t officers are there to help run the country and to assist the people and to use their discretion where possible and yes favours can be obliged. If there are major wrong doings then take the necessary actions. But do not victimise someone because you do not like them. Remember, there will be a turn around time and sometimes we are shocked who will be next. A sensible administration will keep a good revenue collector and I do not see another among the names so far in the new Gov’t to even replace Mr. Sattaur.
If it’s one thing I 1000% agree with you Mr. Bond that Lady Ms. Sattaur needs to be fired immediately. Operations at the land registry are a total mess indeed. She does not work at all fire her now indeed.
What did the old fart said to the new fart… your time will come.
I agree with the sentiments that were expressed by Bond Mr James Bond, but i hate his rhetoric. I f i were…
Mr Bond needs to make comments in the capacity he is as i am doing.
Mr Sattaur is a PPP apologist and violated the trust of his position and should resign immediate. He should not wait for the minister to fire him. I think he is smart enough to understand that that is the noble thing to do.
Mr 007 Bond, James Bond mentioned twice: ”Were I the President and were I the Minister of State, I would fire him immediately…”
Again in the latter part of this article he said I think were I the President, I would examine the sloth in which the registry operates.”
Mr Bond, don’t even think about being the President; you are not presidential material.
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride James.
Before he goes, let him submit for audit a list of ALL the consignees for duty free items including vehicles, salvaged and non-salvaged, big screen TVs and other usually duty paid items brought in within the last six months. Items to be listed at duty paid value. Come on CG let us see the list. Don’t leave any body out now.
Making space for bond
Frankly I’m somewhat surprised he is still in his seat. This person in known to have divulgeg private and sensitive tax info in violation of his oath of office. Hired his children in his department- nepotism. He is not fit to hold that office and should be asked to bend over and say hi to the business end of a boot.