GRA still in consultation on CRG registration plates

Jul 05, 2016 News

Government will soon sign a contract with the company that will be supplying it with Cooperative Republic of Guyana (CRG) registration plates. These will be only for state-owned vehicles.
At his most recent post Cabinet press briefing, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, indicated that no deal has been signed as yet.
He said that the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) has had four to five consultation sessions with various interested companies, and yet another company has signaled intention to provide the plates. Harmon said that GRA will meet with that company soon.
“When that is completed they will make a selection as to who is going forward with it. We are at that stage now where we are close to the point of selecting a contractor for the job,” said Harmon.
The announcement of CRG registration plates was made since last year.
Harmon said that the delay in getting this on stream is the desire of government to have wide consultations so that the company with the best ideas may be utilized.
“There was this question of single sourcing being a major issue in the previous administration. We did not want to shut anybody out. So companies are coming forward and we are listening. Some of them (companies) have actually made very impressive proposals on the number plates and the linkage with our Smart City programme,” said Harmon.
Harmon noted, “Apart from the plates themselves there is a security dimension. We want to make sure all ties in. So that is going to come on soon.”
In July last year, Cabinet had approved the use of the CRG registration plates for State-owned vehicles. It also gave its no objection for the issuance of these registration plates to be a centralised system.
The plates will carry special security features to stymie the use of falsely registered plates and enable easier tracking and identification. It is intended that all vehicles to be purchased for use by the State and State agencies will be fitted with the CRG registration plates.
Many developed countries have been moving in that direction, some issuing plates of different colours every other year. Instead of buying a road service licence, vehicle owners are required to purchase the plates.
The new initiative is part of the process of enhancing security. It is no secret that criminals have been capitalizing on the many sign artists available throughout the country for false number plates for their getaway vehicles.