At the root of the unorthodox outburst by the Commissioner was a dispute with importers over delays in processing their documents and differences over his department's methods of valuation.

These concerns had prompted the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce to request a meeting with the Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority.

The meeting did come off and a favourable outcome was reported.

However, the Guyana Revenue Authority continued to be criticised by certain sections of the media and it is suspected that Mr. Marks succumbed to the continuous barrage against him and his department.

The Customs Department has long been criticised for delays and arbitrary increases in the valuation of imports.

Yet over the years the department faced the onslaught and persevered in ensuring that the trading public paid their fair share of taxes.

Corruption in the Customs Department has never been a moot point.

But one must also acknowledge that in recent years considerable strides, as reflected in revenue collection, have been made.

DARING SUCCESSES
When Mr. Marks became head of Customs, he brought with him a record of daring successes in combating narcotics smuggling.

Two of the largest shipments of cocaine found in Guyana's waters were intercepted by Mr. Marks's unit.

Numerous busts were also made by his staff at our ports of entry and exit.

In many ways, he was seen as well suited to the job of combating smuggling and under-invoicing.

But this unenviable record should in no way justify the intemperate statements from the lips of the Commissioner who launched a blistering attack on his superiors, a move for which it is expected he will face disciplinary action.

But even more astonishing was the reported promise by the Commissioner to make known to the public details of some unsolved and high profile crimes in the society.

His promise to reveal details sent tremors throughout the society, currently under great stress from a sustained crime wave which has seen the deaths of citizens and policemen.

The question on everyone's lips is why did the Commissioner who before taking up the top post at Customs House was at the helm of the Customs Anti Narcotics Unit, wait until now to speak?

If he did have incriminating information about certain crimes, it was incumbent on him, as it would have been for any other citizen, to let the Police know the facts, since persons with information that can help solve crimes are legally bound to pass on that information to the law enforcement agencies.

The Government has taken the rightful step to ask Mr. Marks to support what he said during his press conference, that in relation to the high profile crimes.

The ball is now in the court of the Commissioner General.