Police called in to probe missing equipment at UG

Apr 05, 2017 News

Allegations of theft of equipment and misconduct of staff of the University of Guyana (UG)’s Centre for Information Technology (CIT) at its Turkeyen, East Coast Demerara campus, have not gone undetected.

University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus

Hours after Kaieteur News was informed of the aforementioned allegations, the University’s Administration sent out a media statement, saying that the institution’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith had moved to summon the Guyana Police Force on the matter.
According to the press release, the Vice Chancellor has directly asked the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force, “to launch an investigation into the operations of the Centre for Information Technology (CIT), following the levelling of serious allegations of theft of equipment from the Centre and misconduct of staff members.”
The University said that the Centre’s Manager, along with several other employees, has been sent on leave as an interim measure to allow the investigation to proceed without disruption of evidence, “and to preserve a safe, orderly, and professional work environment,” the release said.
It is understood that a temporary manager has already been identified to oversee the operations of the Centre during the conduct of the investigation.
“In meeting with the relevant CIT staff and CID officials yesterday, Vice-Chancellor Griffith voiced his commitment to having the appropriate action taken by the Police after the investigation ends.”
Additionally, the Ministry of Public Telecommunication has been asked to conduct a forensic audit of the CIT operations at both the Turkeyen and Berbice campuses.
Investigations are also likely to be conducted into the four centres of the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education located at Anna Regina, Georgetown, Linden and New Amsterdam, respectively. The audit, according to the statement, begins today.
It was explained that Professor Griffith has also briefed the Presidents of the two University Unions – Dr. Jewel Thomas of the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) and Bruce Haynes of the University of Guyana Workers’ Union (UGWU).
Ron Glasgow, President of the University of Guyana Students’ Society has also been informed of the developments.
In the statement, Professor Griffith also assured the university community that, “the Centre’s service to students and staff will be normal while the CID conducts its comprehensive investigation and the Ministry of Public Telecommunications undertakes an institution-wide audit of the CIT, which has been plagued with multiple challenges for some time.”