14 NEWS
MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM
GRA boosting capacity to handle Guyana’s oil economy
T
he Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is strengthening its ability to meet the tax demands of the emerging oil and gas sector. Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh said the Government is working on upgrading the GRA’s system, since oil and gas “is a completely new sector to the Guyanese landscape”. In a recent interview with DPI, he said new skills are needed in the tax au-
thority to administer and discharge the responsibilities relating to oil and gas. “So, there is an oil and gas department that was recently established and we are currently working on building the capabilities in that department, including things like audit capabilities et cetera, to be able to perform the important responsibilities that the GRA has with respect to the oil and gas sector. But even more broadly, to strength-
en capabilities in taxpayer audit, and tax enforcement. That work is very much ongoing,” Singh is quoted as saying. GRA is implementing a new information technology system, the Revenue Management System (RMS), which will modernise its operations. “We are currently in the process of introducing greater online capability so that people can interface with the GRA in an online envi-
Trial continues for man accused of bigamy
A
lmost one year after he was charged with bigamy, the trial of 36-year-old Michael Taylor is continuing before City Magistrate Rondel Weever at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts. Taylor, a father of two, of Soesdyke, East Bank Demerara (EBD), had pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to him on May 22, 2020. Pursuant to Section 83 (1) of Criminal Law (Offences) Act, “Everyone, who being married, marries any other person during the life of the former husband or wife, whether the marriage takes place in Guyana or elsewhere, shall be guilty of a felony and liable to a term of imprisonment for seven years.”
Michael Taylor
It was reported that his first wife informed the Police of the development after discovering that her husband had gotten married to another woman in February without legally filing for a divorce. Taylor and his
wife tied the knot in August 2015. After experiencing troubles, the couple separated in November 2019 with Taylor leaving the matrimonial home to go and live with another woman. Neither of them had filed for a divorce. Nevertheless, after receiving news that her husband had married the other woman, the wife visited the Registrar’s Office at the Guyana Post Office Corporation (GPOC) where she confirmed the information. The Police were called in and Taylor was arrested and charged with the offence. Already, the wife and several ranks of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have testified in the trial. (G1)
Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh
ronment. There are some things that you should not have to go to the GRA to do. To pick up a tax declaration form or assessment form or to complete and submit your form. There are a number of services that should be capable of being performed on-
line,” Singh added. He said the task of building and equipping institutions to manage Guyana’s economy is ongoing. However, the GRA has made a lot of progress since its establishment, becoming the single revenue au-
thority collecting all taxes in Guyana. “Having the single GRA has enabled us to have a more comprehensive view of tax collection processes. I would be the last to tell you that the GRA has all the capacity to meet its needs and that it is fully equipped to perform all its functions. We recognise acutely, the need to strengthen the GRA, to continue to modernise and strengthen it to respond to the rapidly changing realities of the Guyana economy,” he said, pointing out that a single revenue authority allows the agency to integrate its approach to tax collection as it gives a 360-degree perspective on tax collection for 365 days a year on all taxes.
Bandits rob woman in broad daylight
P
olice are investigating a daring robbery committed on a woman on the public road at D’Edward Village, West Coast Berbice (WCB), following the release of the CCTV footage. Based on the CCTV footage, the victim was seen standing on the public road in bright daylight awaiting transportation when a white Toyota 212 Carina pulled up alongside her on Tuesday last. In an effort to distract the woman, the occupants of the car had allegedly asked her about something. Following this, three men subsequently exited the said vehicle and approached the woman. They then relieved her of her bag among other valuables. The woman, who appeared traumatised, released her items and made a sprint in the southern direction in efforts to escape the three-man gang. The bandits then hopped back into their vehicle and made good their escape with the woman’s valuables.
An image from the CCTV footage showing the woman being robbed
Similarly, in February, a woman was robbed by two armed bandits at Welfare Street, East Canje, Berbice, Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne). According to information received, the woman was in the vicinity of Welfare Street when a motor car bearing registration number HD 183, with two men, executed the robbery on her. One of the suspects was
armed with a cutlass. In efforts to raise an alarm, she began to scream but she was instructed to remain silent by the armed men. The men then proceeded to take her passport, two ID cards, two bank cards, $6000 in cash and her mobile phone. The bandits also escaped with a bag containing fruits and vegetables. (G15)
