Government’s one laptop per family project hits severe criticism with US$1500 price tag per laptop

Georgetown – The Government's proposed cost per laptop at some US$1500 ($295,000 Guyana dollars) is being called a rip off in the making by sections of the society. In her budget speech yesterday Minister within the Ministry of Finance Jennifer Webster told the house the cost is competitive thus far, sparking criticisms and doubts on the intended process of procurement for these laptops. TrakkerNews understand that the Government's intended choice fits into a Lenovo netbook as seen in the picture. If this is what the Government intends to buy, then their figure must include some hightech spy softwares or a professional integrated device. TrakkerNews was able to source a netbook from amazon.com and landed here in Guyana with US tax and shipping will only cost US$400 and with quantity purchase the price will be even lower. The Government intends to distribute 90,000 laptops under the one laptop per family project. The criteria of the project is being questioned since there are no definitive details on how families are eligible for the computers.