Gov’t vows to make award of contracts transparent

Skerrit

The Dominica government has vowed to establish legislation that will make the award of contracts for major projects more transparent.

The Procurement and Contract Act will “certainly come in to place in 2012,” Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit confirmed.

A Procurement Unit and Chief Procurement Officer will be among new additions when  act is established, he disclosed.

There have been queries and complaints regarding the granting of contracts to overseas companies for projects in Dominica.

Several questions were raised as to why government selected a Barbadian company for the Pointe Michel Sea Defence Wall and road works project. The Bajan firm, C.O Williams and Company was selected as the main contractor, with local business ACE Engineering as sub-contractor.

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16 Comments

  1. MR GORDON
    December 27, 2011

    I support this move. its forward thinking and its the way to go. regulatory framework have to be implimented as a first step and also strenghened where necessary.

    Its my view that the experience of MY AMBROSE GEORGE can be better used to better establish a pragmatic policy for the better degree of efficiency within the government. I have the greatest confidence in him and its my humble view that he will be the NEW LEADER OF THE DOMINICA LABOUR PARTY if and when Skerrit loses the case. We are also aware that Charles Savarin cannot be a Prime Minister because he is not elected. I am of the viwe that irrespective the results of the Petioner case AMBROSE should be made leader. people in Vieux case will not agree with me. I know that in some quarters its said that THE PM IS AFRAID OF AMBROSE but for the sake of the country I think he is the best leader and will really pust dominica forward and clear our good name.

  2. Me
    December 26, 2011

    Mr PM you have a change of heart man

    • Anonymous
      December 26, 2011

      Me,do u really think it’s a change of heart or the usual lies of the heart,mind and tongue.This man entered politics with one mind,heart and intention and it is to rob the state.

  3. none before?
    December 26, 2011

    were there any transparency regarding the building of the State palace/malace? How comes Govt. borrowed $27,000,000.00 from the Chinese Govt. but awarded the contract to build to a chinese construction co.? Many dominicans across the length and breadth of the country pleaded, begged advocated for Govt. to rethink but to no avail. NO opportunity for any local co. to get the job. NO TENDER. No TRANSPARENCY.

    What about the river wall below the UWI Centre at Emshall? That project cost was much, much higher than the Fond St. Jean sea defence works which was a much bigger project entailing more work. Why?

    So why is Skerritt coming now and SPEW that nonsense about transparency when that word is like a thorn in the side of those who do not do things above board? So Skerritt think he could again FOOL the
    Dominican people with that HOGWASH?

    So many legislation and acts on the books, yet they are disrespected, cast aside and business continues as usual. Aren’t there laws against BRIBERY, corruption, stealing fraud and other ills? How much difference would that new legislation make? In the absence of the will to do the right things and to adhere to good governance practices, those are mere words to pull a fast one on ordinary Dominicans. Who said, ” No law, not even the Constitution, could prevent him from doing what he wants?”

  4. Buddy
    December 26, 2011

    Mr. Skerrit means well but I personally think that he needs to address the issues more maturely and in the spirit of transparency and accountability. He takes to personally criticism when infact he’s now technically CRITICIZING the very system that men claimed was “corrupt” and lacking in transparency. The critics went on to call it nepotism but one can’t blame the critics when there was something fundamentally wrong with the tendering and contract procurement process. I think the PM is too combative and has been immersed in way too many details. Comrade you should as much as possible live beyond reproach especially with this VERY honourable position that you hold. The flipant way you either dismiss or go after your critics is unbecoming and this seems to be the culture of the Labour Party, a party I have made sacrifices for. There is still gross evidence of VICTIMIZATION from; awarding of state facilities/resources to appointments of public officers and one MUST SPEAK about it. You are PM of DOMINICA and not a select few and you must be seen to be pushing the agender of equal opportunity for all and that devisive “if you are not with me you are against me” approach to governance is toxic, anti-democratic and anti-development as well. In nation building ALL hands must be on deck and we are all stakeholders in the developmental process so please sir in 2012 lead the way to a FREE Dominica for ALL where varying views can contend. You need to rid yourself of the men and women who will see you er and not point it out to you simply because they are getting some special benefit from being close to you. Remember the story of the son who when faced eminent danger bit off his mother’s ear simply because she failed to correct him. Mr. Skerrit please turn a new leaf and continue the work that the good Lord has placed you to do. If you are found “wanting” please “right those wrongs”, love covers a MULTITUDE of sin, but when we do not take the many opportunities to repent and forsake our wrong doing, these VERY sins SHALL be exposed. It is said that ONE WORD is sufficient for the wise, I’ve given you many, make the best of them and the same goes to ALL in a position of leadership in this blessed land of our. Happy Holidays ALL!

  5. CuCum
    December 26, 2011

    Are you saying or implying that they were not transparent before PM? WELL! WELL! WELL!
    FROM CUCUM

    • dimples
      December 26, 2011

      He’s saying that they can be “more transparent”
      Are you implying that things are to remain stagnant?

      • Buddy
        December 27, 2011

        Are an “apologist” for the government, he is admitting that these tenders LACK transparency, forget the “play of words”, it is what poliTRICKSIONS do!

      • CuCuM
        December 27, 2011

        Transparendy in matters that are not putting the country at risk like projects (which is what is being discussed here),should be immediate not gradual? Gradual transparency raises eyebrow. Go run to the bank with that!
        DSHONEST LEADERS are driving Waitikubuli to the grave. When will it end? ALAS PAPA!
        FROM CuCuM

      • MR GORDON
        December 27, 2011

        MORE TRANSPARENT

        but this can be done when labour repleces Skerro with AMBROSE

        YES THOSE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE PM ARE DOWNRIGHT WRONG AND FALSE BUT TOO MUCH DAMAGE HAS BEEN CAUSED TO HIS GREAT NAME AND THAT OF THE COUNTRY

        SO I BELIEVE THE BEST BRAINS IN CABINET IS AMROSE GEORGE SO HE WILL CREATE TRANSPRANCY WE NEED

  6. drake
    December 26, 2011

    They told us back then that there was no foul play;they even launch an attack against ACE engineering. Now they start are admitting the system a fraud. It would be interesting to see how the A.H affair is related to the sea wall. Contractor.

    • MR GORDON
      December 27, 2011

      INUENDO YO SOULD BE SUED

  7. JUSTICE
    December 26, 2011

    Nice Campaign move Skerro!

    • Peeping Tom
      December 26, 2011

      JUSTICE, i think you should read DNO’s story entitled “‘Prepare for global competition’ – Skerrit to local contractors.” Look to the right of your screen.

      Discussions on the Contract and Procurement Bill have been in the public domain for a while now. You were simply unaware of this fact, it seems.

    • December 26, 2011

      Yes it is a campaign move because Skerro is in for a fight for his life he want to bake his cake and eat it too D’icans dont be fools you cannot be bought get out there and select some men and women who you believe in the development of the ISLAND and who cares what happens to our people as the song writer said ” We just need some good good men” even if you have to call on those in the diaspora please do so.

      • MR GORDON
        December 27, 2011

        v
        o
        t
        e AMBROSE GEORGE

        FOR NEW PM OF DOMINICA

        AND

        NEW DLP LEADER

        WIN LOSE OR DRAW

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