Union urges swift commencement of special audit into UG

Presidents of the University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) and the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) are calling for the swift commencement of the special audit into the spending of the educational institution.
In a press conference on Friday, the UGSSA Head, Dr Jewel Thomas, after outlining the state of affairs at the University which reportedly sees the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith and Pro-Chancellor, Joe Singh who heads the institution’s council practically running same to fit their own desires, made the call.
The University is presently low on funds and is unsure as to how it will keep in operation until the end of 2019.
Coupled with this, it was revealed at the press engagement that the Vice-Chancellor, who is the highest paid the University has ever seen, is demanding payment in lieu of leave, even as that is contrary to the policy at the University.
“That is why we are pushing for this special audit, there are many questions that needs to be answered,” Thomas said.
The audit, which was called for by the Education Ministry after several complaints from UG Unions, is expected to commence in the coming week.
Auditor General, Deodat Sharma made the announcement a couple of weeks ago. He had noted that the Permanent Secretary of the Education Ministry had officially written to him, requesting this special audit, but before his office could begin its work, the necessary meeting had to take place.
“Meetings were held with the Education Ministry officials, of course, they had to be held first so that we could be briefed. Then there were meetings with the Unions from UG but I am not at liberty to discuss what transpired in those meetings. However, what I can say is that I am hoping to go into UG to start the special audit within two weeks from now” Sharma had informed on April 20.
However, Vice-Chancellor Griffith, who is bearing the brunt of the allegations into illegalities at the institution, welcomes the audit.
In a press release, Professor Griffith stated “The administration welcomes the opportunity to clear the air on the allegations and assertions by the Unions and other individuals…We have long indicated such, both directly to the UG Unions and in my two recent memoranda to the University Community”.
On Friday last, UG Unions called on Professor Griffith to embark on his end of contract leave which would see the end of his post as Chancellor of the institution and further called on Pro-Chancellor Singh to resign.
According to Thomas and UGWU’s President, Bruce Haynes, Singh has guided the Council in a direction that is not in the interests of Guyana’s sole national University.