Several months after the only two scanners that the Guyana Revenue Authority had in its possesion to scan containers became inoperable, the agency today commissioned a new container scanner and scanning site at GNIC wharf, Lombard Street.

The GRA boasts that the new facility will help in the reduction in trade transaction costs and time but more importantly it will lend to increase collection in revenue.

GRA’s Commissioner General Godfrey Statia said many attempts were made to establish the site after the GRA was forced to use the National Park Tarmac in the past to scan containers.

The construction of the site is part of a public private partnership arrangement between the Government and GNIC while the scanner was donated to Guyana by the Government of China.

Statia said Guyana stood the risk of losing several markets because the country couldn’t scan containers leaving Guyana, at the source, in keeping with international requirement for shipping.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Winston Jordan was also present for the commissioning ceremony and said it was crucial to Guyana anti money laundering and terrorism countering fight.

“This will also stem drugs coming into Guyana both illegal and those legal ones coming from illegal sources,” he added.

Minister Jordan was also happy that the facility will employ efforts to protect revenue and thwart scams.

He said this was particularly important since the Government got rid of any parallel treasury that existed with most of its money now coming from revenue.

“It was also important that we meet our financial obligations because several destinations were concerned that goods leaving Guyana was not being scanned.”

“This is another testimony of the relationship between Guyana and China,” he added.

Related posts:

Local Law Enforcement benefiting from US training on container control and security CANU sifting through over 50,000 scanner images from drug container shipment Govt. Commissions $186 Million Tertiary Education Dorm at Lilliendaal for Hinterland students Georgetown Council adapts $25,000 container fee