GRA probes NGO: Hummer registered to Health Ministry seized
Authorities have seized a Hummer vehicle that was questionably registered to the Ministry of Health. A non-governmental organization is also under investigation following that seizure.
According to government officials, the 2007 HU3 model Hummer landed in Guyana more than two years ago. It was owned by a US-based Guyanese. The vehicle came from Suriname and was used for a while by the man. However, the New York businessman was about to take the vehicle back when he was told that it could be registered in Guyana, without the necessary taxes and duties being waived.
The businessman reportedly signed it over to an NGO named Hope For the Nation Foundation.
The vehicle was registered in April 2017.
In January, it was reported that the businessman became suspicious when he came to Guyana and was not allowed to use the SUV.
“He (the businessman) reported that he had signed it over to the Hope Foundation with the intentions that he would be a member and have access to it to do the foundation’s work when he is there.” After reportedly being ejected from the Hummer one evening, in a desolate part of the city, the businessman attempted to take steps to get back his SUV.
It was only then that he shockingly learnt that the vehicle is registered to the Ministry of Health. “This vehicle was never seized by government. It was signed over the Hope Foundation. How did it end up in the hands of the ministry?”
The Hope Foundation has reportedly been donating medical and other supplies to Guyana.
The matter was recently reported to the Guyana Revenue Authority which immediately sprang into action.
The Hummer was confiscated on the road and taken away by GRA enforcement staffers.
The NGO is reportedly being investigated, Kaieteur News was told.
GRA has been clamping down on the frauds designed to rob the state of taxes. Recently, a Ferrari that came into the country, reportedly via a “remigrant” application, but destined for a resale, was also seized.
(kaieteurnewsonline)