The PAC members wanted to know how seven monitors and six CPUs could be taken from a storage area on the second floor of the building, which had limited access to staff.

Youth programme donation

Committee members were told that the computers were a donation from a non-governmental entity to assist a youth empowerment programme.

Rainford told the committee that the computers went missing in July 2008 and the ministry approached the commissioner of police in an effort to get a speedy investigation into the matter.

However, he told the committee that, to date, the police have not made a breakthrough in the investigation.

Quizzed about how many persons had access to the storage area, Rainford could not provide an answer.

The permanent secretary was also unable to say when the computers were last seen in the storage facility. He did not know how many computers the ministry had received for the programme.

Storeroom relocated

Asked if an internal investigation was done to determine how the computers went missing, Rainford said he did not know.

However, he said since the computers were stolen, the ministry had relocated its storeroom from the second to the 10th floor.

Committee member Sharon Hay-Webster queried what was the impact of the loss of the computers on the youth empowerment programme, but again, Rainford said information on that was not available at this time.

"We appeal to donors for support and when we get the support this is what happens," stated Dr Omar Davies, committee chairman.

Andrew Gallimore, PAC member, said he was concerned about a lack of accountability in relation to the missing computers.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com