President Dr. Irfaan Ali delivered a resolute message on Tuesday, urging drivers who acquired their licenses through irregular means to come forward within six weeks or risk facing prosecution, license suspension, and public exposure.
Speaking at the Guyana Police Force’s Traditional Christmas Breakfast, President Ali unveiled a new technology-driven “post-audit” system that has revealed significant discrepancies in the country’s licensing process.
He explained that this initial major audit, in collaboration with the Guyana Revenue Authority, the Home Affairs Ministry, and the Ministry of Public Service, Government Efficiency & Implementation, concentrated on driver’s licenses. The findings, he noted, necessitate immediate action.
“With technology, we can track the entire licensing chain, from theoretical exams to practical tests to licenses issued at GRA,” stated Dr. Ali. “We have been able to triangulate the entire process and understand the discrepancies.”
Highlighting alarming anomalies, the President noted that while 150 individuals passed the theory exam, a staggering 450 were awarded practical certificates. “Something is clearly wrong,” he said. “We have all the names of individuals who received a practical certificate but never completed the theoretical exam.”
In response to these revelations, Dr. Ali warned that those identified as having circumvented the proper process will have six weeks to come forward and rectify their licensing status. If they fail to do so, their names will be publicly disclosed, their licenses will be suspended, and legal action will be taken against them.
The Head of State emphasized that this initiative is part of a larger campaign to eradicate corruption within government systems. “That is the only way we can beat this corruption. We have to prosecute all parties involved,” he asserted.
President Ali further indicated that the comprehensive findings of the post-audit will be made public in the near future.
