Head of the Mayor and City Hall’s Information Technology department

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Head of the Mayor and City Hall’s Information Technology department, Waynewright Orderson, has refuted allegations made by the Finance Committee Chairman, Junior Garrett. He said that Garrett’s claims are completely absurd and contradicting.Head of City Hall’s Information Technology Department Wayne Wright Orderson.Orderson made his statement during a media briefing which was held specifically to address the issue that was made public via an article carried in this publication.In the article it was stated “Cash-strapped City Hall is now investigating all transactions conducted by acting Chairman of the Georgetown Municipality’s Finance Committee, Junior Garrett, since he approved the purchase of a laptop from a non-existent company”.The article continued, “Mayor Hamilton Green made this decision, yesterday, following the disclosure that Garrett approved the purchase of a Dell Latitude D800, laptop computer – to the tune of $120,000 – from a non-existent company, in February”.The IT Head said that the allegations made by Mr. Garrett about him presenting the voucher to be signed, has no bearings on fact.“I am the officer and I did not present any voucher nor did anyone from my department. If the truth were to be told that voucher would have had to be presented by someone from the treasury department,” Orderson said.According to Orderson, he was not aware of the computer being purchased. This was only brought to his attention recently when there was a request for it to be added to the City Hall network.“I must also state that there is a second laptop which was purchased and was in use. This was only discovered after the request was made for the one in question to be added to the network”. According to Orderson, the council has since requested the necessary paperwork for the second computer and this cannot be located to date.“When we enquired from the treasurer we were told that they can’t find the paperwork and that too was acquired from an entity which we never heard about.”The IT head said that over the years his department has been dealing with reputable companies in and out of Guyana and most, if not all of their vouchers which they have sanctions in have either been held up or seized by Mr. Garrett.“He does this and when we enquire he would tell us it is being done under the pretext that they would like to investigate yet other items acquired through unknown companies and signed off without any questions asked.”According to Orderson, the computer that was purchased is totally out of specification and the guidelines. He added that the IT department follows certain specifications since there are set guidelines of how they want their equipment to be standardized.Orderson stated that the very computer in question is a home line computer as opposed to a business type. It is not suitable for the task it’s required to do.Speaking on the issue of the IT Department expressing interest in purchasing a software programme for $14M when it is available for free, Orderson said that Garrett’s remarks are contradictory to what he is doing and saying.“His aspersion that we are getting free software and yet we are seeking to purchase for $14 Million is a complete absurdity. Nobody gets free software…we have a company developing written code for a customised software for our municipality. It is very comprehensive for general ledger, all tax collection, fee collection at markets, and abattoirs. We are having that development and it will cost $14 Million”.Orderson said Garrett is seeking to acquire software only for the tax section at a cost of $18 M. He is also claiming that the software can be acquired for free.Mayor Hamilton Green who was also present at the press briefing in responding to question on whether there was any conflict between Garrett and Orderson said there were opportunities which presented themselves but were  not utilized.The Mayor added that he was aware of the issue and an investigation will be launched.