Fraudulent declarations to attract fines, jail time

President Dr Irfaan Ali has issued a strong warning that individuals found making fraudulent declarations will face stricter penalties, including fines and possible imprisonment.
The Head of State made the remarks while delivering the feature address at the opening of the Optique Vision Care Eye Hospital on Friday.
He emphasised the Government’s commitment to strengthening compliance and accountability, particularly within systems that rely on public honesty and transparency.
As part of broader efforts to modernise operations and reduce irregularities, President Ali also announced plans to enhance efficiency at the country’s main ports of entry. He said the Customs section at Cheddi Jagan International Airport will soon introduce a self-checkout system supported by advanced scanning technology.
According to the President, the new system will allow authorities to retain scanned information from travellers’ luggage for up to 45 days. This, he explained, will improve monitoring capabilities and help detect discrepancies in declarations more effectively.
The initiative forms part of a wider push to digitise services, streamline processes and clamp down on unlawful practices, ensuring greater integrity within the system.