The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) has been called in to probe allegations of theft at the institution’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) department.
UG’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith said on Tuesday that he has asked the Police Force to launch an investigation into the operations of the Center for Information Technology (CIT), following the levelling of serious allegations of theft of equipment and misconduct of staff members.
According to a release coming out of the VC’s office, the Manager of the Centre and several employees have 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 a temporary manager has 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 the Turkeyen and Berbice campuses and the four centers of the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education located at Anna Regina, Georgetown, Linden and New Amsterdam. The audit begins today.
The Vice-Chancellor also briefed the presidents of the two university unions and the students’ society, as well as relevant university leaders on the development. He also wishes to assure 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.
