Irregularities in assistance programme to fishers – Director of Audit

Magloire

The Director of Audit’s report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010 has revealed several financial irregularities in the management of the Post Hurricane Omar Relief and Assistance to Fishers Programme.

According to the report, which Director of Audit Clarence Christian submitted to Finance Minister Roosevelt Skerrit last month, the Ministry of Fisheries did not establish a proper monitoring mechanism to provide the necessary oversight on the execution and performance of the program.

Christian also notes in the report that the Chief Fisheries Officer asked some fisher folk for part payment to the agents for the engines they received in order to assist other affected fisher folk who had no claims. However he says this was not documented in the policy directives given for the execution of the program.

“There was no inventory register kept or maintained of the fishing equipment and gear received from suppliers and distributed to the fisher folk”. He declared.

The Director of Audit says it appears that the Chief Fisheries Officer may have used his office to procure fishing boats from Columbia for individuals as part of an order made by government. He says of interest to his office is the fact that 5 of the 28 new fiber glass boats issued to and registered in the name of local individuals, were registered in the personal name of Andrew Magloire as owner and co-owner of these boats.

He noted in his report that the boats were given by the Chief Fisheries Officer without the approval of the Permanent Secretary and some of the individuals who received boats were not listed as having suffered loss from the hurricane.

Christian has made several recommendations to government, asking that they ensure that the Chief Fisheries Officer provide information on the additional 10 fiber glass boats which he claimed to have privately ordered for individuals through the Hurricane Omar Relief Program.

“That information should include the total amount of paid for the boats, the appropriate fees and charges paid at the Customs Division and more importantly, the method of payment with the necessary evidence”, Christian said.

Christian said it is also evident that financial regulations were not complied with in the receipts and issues of equipment, stores and fishing gear under the program.

“The Chief Fisheries Officer did not at all times adhere to the policy directives and guidelines established in the program.

The Audit  Director is also concerned that for a program of such magnitude, the ministry of fisheries, more particularly the accounting officer provided very little or no supervision during its execution.

When contacted by DNO Chief Fisheries Officer, Andrew Magloire, would not comment on the specific accusations made against him in the report but said that everything he has done has been geared to facilitating the recovery of the fishing sector.

“That means having to deal with the facilitation of individuals to restore their livelihoods. So, I did everything that I could possibly do within the framework of my authority as Chief Fisheries Officer” he said.

He says the fact that the report appears to portray the Chief Fisheries Officer as misusing the authority bestowed upon him is “a disservice to the organization.”

 

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45 Comments

  1. Aye Dominique
    August 18, 2012

    This Director of Audit is very selective in his investigation. If he could only apply this rigorous investigivative style across the board. What a shame. I have dealt with Magloire on a professional level and he seems to have such passion for the industry, hard working man. Now I’m in no position to say what Mr. Magloire did or did not do, but there are many unsettled business that needs to be addressed, so let’s start cleaning up from the top Mr. Director of Audit

  2. Unimaginable
    August 18, 2012

    To be targeted in this country you have to do your work. If you dont want to be targeted, don’t do your work. This country is about not doing what is right. Mr. Magloire is a close friend of mine and the man supports no government, i don’t even think he votes. He just do his work and he does it to his conscious. He is not interested in making anything for himself. He lives a simple life. For sure no one is too big for him to put you in your place. He hates injustice and he is a fair guy. He assist not pull down his fishermen. I wonder which other public servant works as hard as this man. come on Director of Audits, this is a little man. Audit if you auditing, but when you smear someone’s character like this come on it will hunt you.

  3. Not a herd follower
    August 18, 2012

    Well, to be honest, I am surprised Mr. Magloire is involved in some questionable dealings. As a citizen of this country desiring good governance, I would like to see a thorough investigation of this matter.

  4. "O" STRESS!
    August 18, 2012

    WE just not listening. Every thing is inside out every thing is up side down, do we have to be reminded???????????????????????????????????????????.

  5. Hello
    August 18, 2012

    DNO …. where are my comments that I posted.

    Well I will say it again!!!
    Andrew Magloire is one of the more eloguent civil Servants in the Government Service. He knows his onions. He has done alot for the Fishermen – using his initiatives while Government Ministers travelling and fattening their pockets.

    What may have happened is that Mr. Magloire did not follow their red-eyed and gave the fishermen who needed boast. Mr. Magloire is a man of integrity and does not stoop to any politician – he is not a puppet on a string. He has the interest of the fishermen at heart and knows their needs more than the politicians, who think they can fool everybody for a vote.

    Leave Andrew Magloire alone and investigage all the other corrupt allegations that Government is involved with.

    It is a disgrace to try to dishonor this hardworking, honest civil servant.

    • Choice
      August 18, 2012

      @ Hello
      You are so correct. There must be an explanation for that. Mr. Magloire is an independent thinker, who apparently stepped on a few toes of some ‘power-hogs’ as a result some victimisation is taking place. It would be nice to see that same level of scrutiny being pointed at the ruling CABAL. prime case being the bin bobol and the Gon Emmanuel scenario.

    • Peeping Tom
      August 18, 2012

      :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

    • C. bruce
      August 18, 2012

      i support that 150%

      Mr. Maglore elected to do his job instead of toeing the line and is being victimized for it.

      upside down,,, inside out

  6. Pedro
    August 18, 2012

    The minister of Fisheries has to take responsibility for the poor management of his ministry.It is clear that the minister is not working for the $9000.00 a month salary.

  7. ian
    August 17, 2012

    DIRECTOR OF AUDIT, PLEASE DO YOUR WORK AND AUDIT THE BIN BOBOL!!!!

  8. Fisherman
    August 17, 2012

    LEAVE ANDREW MAGLOIRE ALONE.

  9. lovely dominica
    August 17, 2012

    The Director of Audits report i believe is tabled in Parliament, so i guess it can be questioned by all members of the house. Maybe one should ask DNO why this was the only article they sought to highlight

  10. cohenval
    August 17, 2012

    Andrew aka Scubs. They are out to get you because you speak straight and true. Skerro is out to get you boy.

    • Peeping Tom
      August 18, 2012

      «Skerro» cannot give the Director of Audit orders. Enuff with the ignorance, already!!

  11. Anonymous
    August 17, 2012

    is not boat and engine alone other things missing. Remember de issue with de piece of equipment that was missing and still missing! magloire was not there. Audit make a next round in fisheries and you will get more dirt this tim on another padna

  12. Ihatemedard
    August 17, 2012

    June 30 2010 geez we in 2012 mister and dem Lazy man

    • Confused
      August 18, 2012

      I agree, Director of Audit just put that dat to cover thelateness of his report

  13. Morihei Ueshiba
    August 17, 2012

    China can now boast over 1m wealthy citizens (qianwan fuweng) each with over 10m yuan ($1.6m), says the latest edition of the “Hurun Report”, while those negroes in poverty with their One China Policy!

    • hhmm
      August 18, 2012

      amen to that

  14. Anonymous
    August 17, 2012

    somuch politics played in dat relief boy, mahaut and st joe fellers dat never even pull a boat get money n machine, dat was a scam again.

  15. Anonymous
    August 17, 2012

    In all of this I need to know why an audit report for the period ended June 30 2010 was presented in 2012. That auditor needs to be fired!!!Waste of time!!!!!

    • Realist
      August 18, 2012

      lol, a seperate audit needs to be conducted on the audit-man for the lost year of production. What was he doing all that time?

  16. August 17, 2012

    In any responsible government,the Minister of Fishiers would be asked by the Prime Minister to tender his resignation.I am not a supporter of Mr. Christian,however,I have to compliment him for letting the press know of his investigations. It is alledged, their were many more investigations that were swept under the rug. I hope Mr. Christian is beginning to realise that the Constitution protects him,therefore, he cannot be subjected to pressure by any Minister of Government or head of departments to cook anything. His job is to declare reports truthfully, as he see them.

  17. Hello
    August 17, 2012

    This is one of the most eloquent man in the public service. He knows what he is about and he knows his onions. Believe me, Mr. Magloire is a sensior man who truly works in the interest of the Fisherman, he knows their needs much more than the Ministers who say they know their constituents, I suspect Mr. Magloire cleaned up their list, and gave boats to the more diserving fishermen and not their red-eyed blind fools that did not need boats. Mr. Magloire does not stoop down to their levels and do as they say, but he do what is in the best interest of the Fishermen. Because Mr. Magloire will not stand for their or be stringed like a puppet like , they will find all types of audit report.

    MR. CHRISTIAN – you have much more important audit report to reveal to the people of Dominica.

  18. Asterix
    August 17, 2012

    Selective investigation. Looking at one set and turning a bilnd eye to the areas where corruption is more blatant and rampant.Just remember GOD is not a police, he is not partisan and he sees everything and everyone. In due time those who have the protection of their selective guards, will one one day for sure, lose that protection and they will get their just dues.

  19. CIA on the Waich
    August 17, 2012

    It is really amazing how this Gentleman Mr Christian can be so forth coming on the fisheries division but we are yet to hear him with the same breath of life on various matters that we are questioning or concern about Bin bobol, land transfer deal fertilizer deal and all the irregularties in other sectors of the public service where political stoogies are involve, Mr Christian where is your pride in self, country and love for the job you do, if you love this Job let us have all the irregularities not the chosen or selected few, we do live in this country

    • totally agree
      August 18, 2012

      Not only that, does Mr Christian know the things some civil servants have to do as directives from ministers? Why isn’t Mr Christian looking at the bigger picture? When the politicians promise all and sundry to their people and in turn ask the people in the department to execute the unethical practices where is Mr Christian to say “Hey that’s not how things are done!” Mr Christian stop pretending you don’t know how things are done.
      I am sure if you investigate further you may well find this gentleman is not a ‘yes’ man and a political yoyo, so is being targeted.

  20. The Boxer
    August 17, 2012

    mr christian, good job so far but i do think that you are selective in what you choose to put out to the public. Give us the numbers on the economic citizenship program.

    • me too
      August 17, 2012

      i CONCUR. he seem to be very selective. tell us about other departments. mr maglorie did u stop supporting the party?

      • Fisherman
        August 17, 2012

        Mr. Magloire never supports a party!. He supports the people. He cannot be bought. He is a brilliant man! More brilliant than any minister or adviser in this red cabinet.

      • Peeping Tom
        August 17, 2012

        Why not simply get a copy of the Auditor’s Report?

      • Jean Bef
        August 17, 2012

        Did DNO ask about the other areas of concern?

  21. food
    August 17, 2012

    is that the only government department which was audited for the period June 30, 2010 . i would like the director of audit to also tell us about irregularities in other departments.

    anyways good job, but wondering why this one was not covered up?? ummmm

  22. Shameless
    August 17, 2012

    No surprises….Indications of a lawless, decaying state where everyone seems to be following in the footsteps of the leadership. This time is NOT Lennox that say anyway.

    Assertive, NOT Agressive!

  23. A Voice
    August 17, 2012

    Oh oh, some interesting questions to answer to.

    Using the government’s relief program to acquire fishing boats for private individuals who are not listed amongst those requiring aid? Your name registered as owner and co-owner on some of the fishing boats? Conflict of interest or what? Asking them fisherman to give part payment to the agents when this was not one of your directives? Talk about kickback?

    Well Mr. Minister of Finance, it looks like you have some fishes to fry…

    I watchin’ still!!!

    • me too
      August 17, 2012

      i like dat one… fishes to fry

  24. MARIGOT
    August 17, 2012

    A crooked country with crooked men what do we expected crooked dealings,

  25. Anonymous
    August 17, 2012

    I smell a rat

    • Fisher of Men
      August 17, 2012

      NO it’s a dead fish.fish.

  26. De Fisherman
    August 17, 2012

    Well papa bon Dieu, somebody targeting andrew magloire to axe him from his job man. they want to put the man on the paupers list…domnitjen bien meschastay…

    I know the man help plenty fisherman after hurricane omer and even some of them will now say crucif him. so be strong my friend and it doesn’t matter what the director of audit say, you will be vindicated in the course of time.

    Furthermore i want to tell the director to go and investigate all those irregularities he sweeping under the carpet, since that is what they put him there for…

    LEAVE ANDREW MAGLOIRE ALONE AND GO AND INVESTIGATE ALL THE CORRUPTION THAT HAPPENING IN GOVERNMENT… your damn KING KONG

    • Anonymous
      August 17, 2012

      ask him about the boats he have at mahaut, portsmouth and soufriere and the small ten foot boat he gave the partner that he take back

      • ¬!"£$
        August 17, 2012

        BEHAVE DRUG DEALER

      • new boy
        August 17, 2012

        am not disturb by this as i saw it coming long,lets look at it for an example,how can it be right that before a hurricane a fisherman had no fish pot and given 6 rolls of fishing wire after?

    • cohenval
      August 17, 2012

      I agree with you about King Kong. Only a mother could live a face like that.

  27. El Presidente
    August 17, 2012

    WOW- Magloire

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