The latest government appointee to the country’s Integrity in Public Office Commission (IPO) is raising eyebrows in some circles.
Former Chairman of the Dominica Banana Marketing Corporation, Vanoulst Jno Charles, is described as an open advocate of the governing Dominica Labour Party.
Jno Charles was sworn in last week as the commission’s newest member.
He replaces Wendell Lawrence.
To facilitate his presence on that watchdog body, Jno Charles has had to resign as chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) (updated).
The PSC chairmanship is now expected to, reports indicate, be taken up by “another DLP party hack” – Ian Munroe.
Munroe is a former chairman of the board of DBS Radio who held that position for several years until his alleged involvement in a money scandal that resulted in him being axed from the board.
Attorney Henry “Babs” Dyer, the Dominica Bar Association’s nominee to the Integrity in Public Office Commission, was sworn in on April 2011, along with former Attorney General Anthony Laronde.
Laronde and Dave Bruney represent the opposition on the IPO.
The government is against Bruney’s appointment because it considers him a UWP (United Workers Party) party hack.
He was however sworn in on April 7, 2011 – Bruney’s appointment is being challenged in court.
Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan, an adviser to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, has argued that political activists should not be appointed to commissions such as the IPO.
Critics in the opposition camp say this latest appointment of Jno Charles – a “political activist” of the DLP – smacks of “double standards,” and Astaphan should not support such a decision.
Retired cabinet secretary Julian Johnson continues to chair the IPO commission.
It appears that the youngstars of this country do not take interest in the Political system.The reason is that every board related to Government is occupied with the same old heads who have special interest in mind. As Dominicans we have a duty to take the business of our country at heart to make progress.
If there is one “Good Man” on the IPO I will not destroy it.
i thought that integrity and morals were linked? don’t we look at people’s past before we put them in position? where is his family?
Tit for tat. When UWP opposition appointed the party hacks like Laronde and Bruney, the so-called Workers that talking now did not utter a word in condemnation. Now Skerritt do the same thing and all moo moo talking. Think Skerrit will sit back and let UWP do what they want. What good for the goose is good for the gander. Labourites dont take nonsense. Remove the WORKERS henchmen in the IPO and then you all can talk. By the way the only thing all u can do is talk, talk, talk, talk …………. All u hate Skerrit so keep on hating.
RIGHT! SO WE REMOVED WORKERS FOR WHAT THEY DID WRONG AND NOW JUSTIFY A PARTY THAT DOES WORST
I think it is time that folks like Vanoss, go enjoy the retirement they have and allow some nfresh new blood to take up such positions. It is time the this gov stop recycling those political opportunists, and make way for others to get equal opportunity in the Nation building process.
Seems like you are the fish-SAUL- You tend to be seeing on one side…What about Edison,RON,Prevost, etc..?
dno why did u pull my comment regarding munroe.
Daddy Van we love you keep it up.
If the court rules that Dave should not be a member of the IPO due to his political activism, then the other political activist will have to go. We can’t have one party packing the courts with activist. If the court rules in favor of Dave the appointment of people like Simeon Albert, Sogo and other DLP activist to the IPO would be quite in order….
There was a candlelight procession begging Skerrit to implement the IPO which he had kept dormant for five years. Now we have it even that is corrupted too. What next?
Pure hypocracy and mockery of the true meaning of the IPO are we for real, i have known and seen this man with my open pair of eye campaign for and on behalf of the Dominica labor party evan after elections this man stands at the gas station in St. Joe defending this government to the core, Knowing the caliber of the man who he has replaced i am now wondering if persons who we continue to respect on the IPO feels comfortable with this appointment,Mr Julien Johnson who I know as a man of honor and great stature will soon leave, i cannot see the current IPO chairman holding on to his chair with this disgraceful appointment.
I cannot stand the labour party, and I am not in love with UWP.The very name laybar, gives me an upset stomach.Nonetheless I am glad for my big brother Van.
That is all.
freedom incharge,use true labourites to get the job don now they milking the cow.
This is the best Man for the Job. He does not care what party your from.
This is a bad idea for the DLP and Dominica. It depicts the party as no different from the UWPwee; at a time when we have worked very hard to portray the party as progressive and the only viable organisation to lead Dominica forward.
In addition, the decision further weakens the credibility of the IPO as an institution of governance in which the masses can have confidence. Frankly, this move is a step back for our democracy and our development as a truly «free» people, free from political tribalism and elitism.
Indeed, as the UWPwee would know, this decision may give the party a stranglehold on the IPO, but how does the pursuit of this hold raise the party’s credentials and who benefits from this decision? I do not question the gentleman’s integrity but «perception is stronger than reality.» This decision is a disappointment. Bad idea!
Who for the person impersonating my Peeping Tom?
but Peeping you change your contacts man?
Peeping Tom – step in the right direction. I wish you would have been more objective in the past . Nevertheless it is people like you who Dominica needs to stand out and hold politicians accountable. All that said I am sure you will agree that we need to find a way to select this IPO commission with absolutely no partisan political interference.(easier said than done). For now this IPO is just a joke at the expense of tax payers – just a scheme to fool the people. What have we benefitted from this IPO thus far? With all this scandal and accusations of corruption and miscarriage of justice throw political handlers the IPO is yet to present a comprehensive report on matters that they claim to be investigating. As a people we must stand for something – Tony Astaphan and Rosie folled us wit a promise to investigate UWP corruption and what did we get for the money spent on this promise – a huge bill and a report that says I ran into a cul de sac.
Peeping Tom although your contribution was not without sarcasm and display of blatant partisanship I applaud you. I do hope your fellow Laborites don’t know who you are else the Gestapo will be coming to your house(lol).
Oh, Jacky Chan, no sarcasm intended.
Now, i still believe that the IPO is not useless. If we examine the way it functions we can begin to see form merit to having it. For example, all persons require dby teh law to disclose their assets and liabilities MUST do so or else face the law. Additionally, an «ordinary» citizen can essentially drag a political lord in front the courts for questionable acquisition of assets. recently, the Commission dismissed a charge against the PM. However, if it were successful, there is no telling how far the matter could have reached; and all this even while the Comission was already tainted. So, as a political tool, the IPO is not to be dismissed because we have seen some «small victories» for the people and it still serves as a rudder to keep persons in check. However, the process leading to its composition is so steeped in clientelism that it is fair to be suspicious of its decision-making machinery.
The IPO commission has a long way to go in building public trust and confidence but our political masters are certainly not interested in allowing it to do so because from its birth, it was meant to serve the selfish fantasies of certain political operatives.
It was high time that the Labour party appoint its activist on the IPO. I fully support the move to appoint Vanoulst. UWP appointed Dave Bruney and Anthony Laronde These are known UWP activists on the Commission. Then Henry Dyer who openly called the Prime Minister currupt on the political platform contested elections for the DFP.
Should Skerrit play dead and remain righteous and leave out the DLP activists? Comrase I fully support you on this one.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, It is my view that known political activists should not be appointed to the Commission. Therefore all parties must comply with that view.
so why did they contested the david bruney issue in court if they knew they where going to do the same thing…
this is a desperate prime minister who wants to die and old man in power.
i believe no political activist should be appointed to the ipo.. and its about time ministers take jail for inappropriate behaviour when elected to office..
dominica will only by developed when the citizens can work together and put the country before party and politicians.
politicians divide the people for their own personal and selfish motives
I quite agree, But who is going to start proceedings to make them take the jail they deserve, after all
THEY ARE (or so they believe)THE STATE… and the people are POWERLESS. or have surrendered their power for a RED PIECE OF CLOTH…. and to scream LABORRR POWAAAHHHH like a bunch of @55es…
I equate these type of people to a spoilt step child… they want everything and are not prepared to work for it..
Ebeh DNO you brave papa!!
“Munroe is a former chairman of the board of DBS Radio who held that position for several years until his alleged involvement in a money scandal that resulted in him being axed from the board.”
And your point is?
“Senior Counsel Anthony Astaphan, an adviser to Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, has argued that political activists should not be appointed to commissions such as the IPO”
eh beh mi bredex! who more labour activits than Vanoulst?
That is another slap in the face by this wicked regime… GOD HELP THIS FAILED COUNTRY!
Well done to the Dominica Labour Party Government, a man who will look out for Dominica’s best interest. we are taking things to the next level and Vanoulst is one who will assist us in this regard with integrity, loyalty, honesty and truth. Congratulations Vanoulst and do your job.
do your job in reporting to skerrit and not the commission…
the next level is already here, people cannot even meet their everyday needs.. we will hear it on the 17th.
Its real political Carnival in Dominica. It which party is jumping high and who is jumping low, who is sober and who is drunk
Sum people can call Dominican stupid brainwash poor starving communist but one ting I want sumbdy to tell me is one sit UWP get back,,I know for sure Dominican not in there Magee,,skerit an his supporters will live happy ,,who disgruntled will ,,,see d speed day drop UWP an never to return,if Dominican was suffering day would drop skerit,,
No suprises. It’s all part of Dominica’s most backward government and its supporters double talk modus operandi – Fight against something then partake in the same thing which they claimed to be against.
I support Mr Skerrit there is no double standard.
Henry Babs Dyer contested election for DFP in December.
Anthony Laronde was Attorney General under UWP Government and a Known UWP activist.
Dave Bruney a well known vocal UWP activist.
It was time for the Labour Party to place its known activist on the Commission. When Mr Lazarre’s term is up I reccommend that Mr Lennox or Allick Lawerence be placed on the Commission
Are you serious. The government hasn’t had representatives on the IPO and we are yet to see any action against this corrupt regime from the current IPO? Sleeping agents tend to do more damage.
lets see,
de new labar is a unification of freedom and the original labar party.. with skerrit a freedomite as the head.
david bruney contested the roseau sit for the labar party.
babs a freedomite and labar supporter because of the unification agreement..
anthony laronde a labourite before he joined the uwp. mammo hated his guts.(check the book by gaboo on miss chales), she called him a jackass of the first order.
i think there have more labar supporter that any other party, but it seems like when people talk about the issues that are affecting the development of the country they are branded as certain party supporters…
when matt asked the uwp the hard questions he was branded, boy that have to much jokes in it
How about you replacing Lazaare? Apparently you do not have any confidence in yourself.
Alas papamet! We cyah do nothing right in D/ca without political revelry. Two wrongs cyah mek it rite! smh
mr not a key labourite in st joseph nah, a member of the laour executive.. how can things be righteous when these people are placed in a high office that supposed to have men of integrity..
more skerritites at the helm of skerrit round table