The minister, not DAPE is responsible!

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I read with amusement Minister Rayburn Blackmore’s article on DNO which purport to say:

1.    Anthony E.  Le Blanc is not honest in his contributions to the 4th Feb 2011 back page article of the Chronicle, and
2.    The Dominica Association of Professional Engineers (DAPE) is responsible for the non-appointment of the BOE.

The Motives of Anthony E. Le Blanc

Simply …. A desire to live out the beatitudes  …  and to look upon the face of God when this life is over, anytime it may come!

Surely it is not money, since my price was paid by the God-man over 2,000 years ago.  “Everyone has a price”, says one of our leaders, mine is already paid, and Him only I serve, with no apology!  Politics …. certainly not, I have better things to do with my life than to confront the Minister or his team politically, it’s just not worth my time, if that is what he is hedging at.

But to live out the beatitudes I have to desire the greater good, and justice.  That if a people elects a government, then it has to operate well, and serve them, not the other way around.  They do not have to feel that they are slaves, and the government is a monarchy.   Neither should the government operate like a private company with the citizens either only and simply employees or clients; a company whose board of directors ( the ministers) are able do what they want without following the articles of association (laws and constitution). So my motivation is living out the beatitudes to see that we regain a sense of justice and public good in the operations of the state.

Getting back to the Board of Engineering and the amendments to the EPA

Is the Dominica Association of Professional Engineers (DAPE) responsible for the non-appointment of the BOE?  Certainly not!  The Minister is.  The DAPE did its part by issuing letter dated 18 March 2009.    What problems had the minister with the four persons who DAPE wanted to continue?  Probably the minister’s motive is that he does not want to appoint those that DAPE continue to nominate.  What do you call 23 months delay – gaining time or wasting time?

Neither will I waste time with the Minister’s comments concerning my role, efforts and labours with creating and sustaining the DAPE or getting the EPA enacted and carrying out the functions of the BOE.   Those who ought to know, know, leave the ignorant so clothed unless they desire other garments!  Except that I will correct the minister, from 1996 I have always been an active member of the DAPE, either on its executive, a member of a sub-committee or more recently, one of its trustees.  However, I do know when to give up the reins (of power) and let someone else lead!

So the Minister can best reassure the public by acting swiftly on DAPE’s letter of 18th March 2009, and appoint a BOE. ( I imagine there are enough public officers who are registered engineers and persons in the public to serve the public’s interest in order to complete the appointments).

On the amendments to the EPA, the Minister fell short of telling us anymore than I said.   When was it taken to Cabinet?  How long since the state attorneys in the Ministry of Legal affairs reviewed or complied it as a Bill?   When was it sent to those senior engineers he referred to, or President of DAPE Eng Floissac for review?   Is he waiting for the new BOE to review it?  When is it scheduled to go to parliament?

It is of interest that the letter which the minister claimed that I was aware of,  a letter  sent to Eng Floissac President of DAPE by his Permanent Secretary,  was copied to every senior engineer who was on the last BOE except for that BOE’s chairman, Anthony E Le Blanc.  To use the minister’s words, “Is there a motive?” Notwithstanding, I am very happy that the Acting Permanent Secretary was so articulate in his letter, albeit he did not have the good nature either to address it to his minister instead, or to be an active member of DAPE!

Finally, I would like to continue to request of the Minister and his ministry more dialogue and meaningful collaboration in both the engineering industry and construction sector with issues relating to real transparent public procurement, enactment and amendments of appropriate industry legislation, fiscal incentives for this sector as a whole, among other things.  I will further clarify, as I have done before, that my efforts are aimed at the greater good, including putting the industries within the sector in the position to exist and compete within and outside the OECS and CARICOM.

We are both morally and professionally responsible to give attention to these other areas that are truly deserving; ultimately, we all have to give an account of our stewardship.  Working together, even if we have differences, is the best way to build the country; criticism helps us grow into the persons we ought to be.

Anthony E. Le Blanc

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15 Comments

  1. Rose Petal
    February 17, 2011

    Just because Tony is living a comfortable life.Doesnt give you a reason to judge him.He love money because he work Darn hard for it.So sit on your dirty,lazy back side and think that money will just drop i your lap.

  2. M
    February 16, 2011

    This is Dominica geez. I am not a supporter of any political party however I have always been extremely conscious of the the political rifts in Dominica. It is one that is highly toxic and unproductive. However I am proud to be Dominican and hope one day Dominica will be lead by Educated, patriotic individuals.

    On several occassions I’ve met people who upon mentioning my nationality inquire about the Late Dame Eugenia Charles which I find surprising. After 3 years of DLP-DFP coalition I opted to leave dca mess. Its been 8yrs and seemingly has gotten from Bad to worse. Ministers crossing from one party to the next just to line their pockets. NO serious sustainable economical projects forward, just spending spending spending. The people wearing the ignorance like a badge of Honour just as it was said by Piero.

    DLP, UWP, DFP put that stupidness aside, what about Dominica.
    A great leader brings people together not tear them apart

  3. Hod Kai Ché
    February 16, 2011

    I know Mr. Leblanc, and while he may profess not to have a price, I can tell you HE LOVES MONEY as much as anyone, and more than most!

    He professes his love and devotion for Almighty God, but trust he his real motivation is the almighty dollar! You cannot fool the people who know you Tony. You actions speak much louder than your words.

    • ok then
      February 17, 2011

      hmm do u know him? aparently u don’t. so i sugest that u go n educate urself n go do sumthing wit urself instread of talkin about people who wayyyy better than u.

  4. Sprinter
    February 16, 2011

    Well said Tony. I hope the “learned minister” finds time to process what you have written.

  5. Labourite who can see
    February 16, 2011

    Well put Tony. Unlike many Dominicans, you can’t just roll over for them to walk all over you with their hobnailed boots! Dominicans seemed to have lost the capacity to stand up and speak for their rights. I wonder if the minister understands what you said. He is the most learned man in Dominica.

  6. Anonymous
    February 16, 2011

    When are Dominican professionals going to stand up like men and support their profession? Which other engineer in Dominica has the balls to support Anthony Leblanc from a totally unnecessary attack by a police officer minister who is playing engineer, aviation expert, road designer and architect?
    Nepotism means nothing to the government, Rayburn Blackmore is the Minister and Lucien Blackmore, his brother, is the acting permanent secretary. In any other country this would not be allowed for obvious reasons, but Dominica is special.
    Which engineer, architect or contractor in Dominica has the testicular fortitude to comment objectively on the design and construction of a State Palace by Chinese while Dominicans pay back the loan?
    Continue the struggle Tony, you are showing some courage which is absent among your colleagues.

    • citizen kane
      February 17, 2011

      do some research who was the great JFK Attorney General His brother.

  7. WIKILEAKS
    February 16, 2011

    Tony, you starting to act like a “likkle boy”

    • Labourite who can see
      February 16, 2011

      If your comment cannot uplift humankind out of it’s ignorance, with hold it.

      • hmm
        February 16, 2011

        i agree with u…wikileaks is just another idot dats uniformed…

  8. Grassroots
    February 16, 2011

    So how come DAPE not defending themselves? Seems to me DAPE agreeing with the Minister and not Leblanc.

    • Conscious
      February 16, 2011

      How did you reach this conclusion?

    • jean Mahaut
      February 16, 2011

      he is the chairman of dape u fool

  9. Lord Blackstone
    February 16, 2011

    Give it to dem Leblanc, Give it to deM

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