The Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) is increasing its efforts to be adequately prepared for the oil sector. Just recently, GRA Commissioner-General Godfrey Statia revealed that the authority will soon be acquiring boats so that it can be in a position to make visits to offshore rigs at the Stabroek Block.
Speaking with radio announcer Stan Gouveia on the show called the Hot Seat, Statia noted that the authority has been able to get a piece of a Demerara property which will be used to facilitate a wharf and boathouse. Providing more specifics, Statia said that the piece of property is 800 feet and is located at Eccles. The tax chief said that it would be good enough for the entity’s operations.
Further to this, Statia said that his members of staff are poised to begin helicopter training for rig visits too.
The Commissioner-General said, “We are a work in progress but training remains continuous for activities in the industry as well as being able to deal with the contractors. We have training going on with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and we have been able to secure some secondments in certain countries. Right now we are trying to get secondments in Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, and Newfoundland.”
In addition to this, Statia revealed that there was training in the area of crude lifting and marketing. The tax chief also said that with cost recovery for pre-contract and other costs due to begin in August, GRA’s team will be working along with the company chosen for this purpose.
The Chartered Accountant concluded, “So even though it appears as though we are not doing anything, we are preparing ourselves. In August too, we will be receiving a team from the IMF which will be looking at the Customs aspect for oil and gas so that by the time everything gets on stream, we will be ready.”
