GRA to clamp down on dual and fake number plates

The Commissioner General noted that there are persons who would have had an older vehicle and upon acquisition of a newer one, they would simply, attach the old number plates to the new vehicle.

GRA to clamp down on dual and fake number plates

There are over 1000 vehicles with dual number plates and vehicles bearing number plates of older vehicles driving around the country.

Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA),Godfrey Statia, made that revelation today while addressing a press briefing on Thursday afternoon.

The Commissioner General noted that there are persons who would have had an older vehicle and upon acquisition of a newer one, they would simply, attach the old number plates to the new vehicle.

Added to that,  in several cases, some of these vehicles were brought to Guyana from neighbouring Suriname and Brazil. “Some of the things we have found will bungle your mind’, the GRA Boss noted. He went further explaining that it would also be surprising if told of some of the individuals who are involved in the illegal practice.

In one case a vehicle belonging to the very Guyana Revenue Authority was involved in an accident. The driver of the vehicle who was an employee of the Authority at the time, travelled to neighbouring Suriname, acquired a similar vehicle, changed its appearance to mirror the damaged GRA vehicle and replicated the number plates.

The Commissioner General said he was not hiding the practices but seeking to explain the heart of the problem. In the case at hand, both the employee and his father were fired from the revenue body.

Just last month it was reported that a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) brought into Guyana by Brian Tiwari (BK) in 2014 was fitted with an older series number plate (PJJ) without making its way onto the books of the GRA.

The vehicle was hauled in and a subsequent meeting between the Head of the GRA and Tiwari resulted in an agreement.

Today, Mr. Statia explained that Tiwari was informed of things he can do, of those include, the vehicle is handed over to the state or the taxes and duties are paid. They latter was agreed. The amount is said to be in the millions. However, failure can result in actions by the body.

Apart from that, the illegal act, carries fines and jail time.

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