The Dominica Freedom Party (DFP) is expressing concerns over what it says is the lack of transparency in the reconstruction of the West Bridge in Roseau.
It is also concerned over a lavish groundbreaking ceremony for the project in light of the lingering effects of Tropical Storm Erika on the island.
“The Dominica Freedom Party recognizes the importance of the reconstruction of the West Bridge in Roseau the nation’s capital,” the party said on Friday. “We are, however, very concerned about government procurement practices and the lack of transparency in the negotiations for the financing and tendering of the project.”
The party said this, coupled with a lavish groundbreaking ceremony at a time when many Dominicans are still suffering from the impact of Erika, which devastated sections of Dominica in August last year.
“It begs the question whether this Dominica Labour Administration has its priorities in order and Dominicans should hold them accountable for wasting scarce resources,” the DFP said.
On April 18, the government announced it had signed a contract with NSG Management and Technical Services Limited of Barbados, worth EC$18,182,437.35, for a major project in Roseau. The project consists of demolishing and reconstructing the West Bridge.
Some Dominicans have taken to social media and the airwaves questioning why the project wasn’t awarded to a local firm since there are many on the island capable of undertaking such a project.
The government also announced that a groundbreaking ceremony for the project will take place on Friday, April 22 with entertainment provided by the Swinging Stars.
I have a question Re the Roseau bridge,
can the River dig so when its rain the River wont over flow, on the Road.
CAN THE RIVER BE DIG IT SOUND A GOOD IDEA
.
Please take little offence of my comment; I just have a question. If the government has 18 million dollars, couldn’t they have used it on a million OTHER things besides fixing a BRIDGE??
Im just saying!!
why not focus on building the bridge in Macoucherie or Delice. This one in Roseau needs work but it is being used daily and standing. Priorities people.
Also this picture of the bridge has @ lanes, one going one coming. i am HOPING! that traffic will still only flow one way which is out of town,
“if so do they have the up front financing to procure the derricks and dredging equipment necessary for mobilization?”(Warrington).
Warrington, the old Bridge East of the proposed West Bridge was built by primitive Dominicans, under the most primitive conditions by the turn of the early nineteen century. It was reconstructed in around 1956 or there about by all Dominicans. To this day is has yet to crumble and fall into the river.
The Melville Hall Airport was built by Dominicans without outside help, if memory serves me correct the chief engineer on the project was a guy from Wesley/Marigot, who’s late mother was a relative of yours truly with a name as Armor his father just happens to be the Dr. Armor books are written about and sold on the Internet.
Quote me! The flooding issues at Melville Hall has nothing to do with the way the Airport was constructed in the 1950’s; it is not to due to any engineering deficiencies; however, due to the location the British…
Continue:
All of the old Bridges built around Dominica, especially on the North, were probably supervised by none other by a Dominica born Andre, the father of the same Judge (magistrate) Andre in a court in Brampton Toronto in Canada.
All of the Bridges built by Dominicans are all standing, even some of the old Swing-Bridges wherever they were built!
Dominicans has a way of elevating outsiders over our very own people more of the money spent for building that bridge will go to boost the economy of Barbados, the most the economy of Dominica will benefit it has already. The money spent to buy the cheap white rum for the ground breaking ceremony the music, and dance is all we get!
I’ve encountered any place in any country where a government spends millions of dollars to party at the ground breaking ceremony of any project, never mind a bridge!
My argument has nothing to do with education or skill. The bridges you are referring to were all financed by the government and built by the Public Works Department with design drawings and specifications coming from England. All losses and cost overruns were absorbed by the government and since we were a colony in those days, you should know where the financing came from. When marine work is done in Dominica, guess where the pile driving equipment comes from. If you happen to travel to St Croix, visit the Frederiksted wharf; I was the resident engineer on the project, The Tortola wharf in Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas was entirely restructured by me as design Structural engineer; and I am saying this, since you are a very knowledgeable young man, that I talk from an experiential slant,
waw waw waw… allu have problems!
Its like children fighting their parents not to go to school! The country is progressing and the people that like suffering and the status quo just cannot take it, their head exploding… all I can say is Skeritt taking allu to school so go and learn before the dunce kats keep allu back!
Garcon all how I read, twist, and turn your comments, all I can interpret you as is a donkey!!!
1) Who’s Garcon?
2) Why would you interpret UDOHREADYET as a donkey? perhaps if you read again, you might understand UDOHREADYET’s comment, ok?
The clown show continues unabated at a time when we should be focusing on real development. This is a ground-breaking for Christ sake! If you do all that to start a project, what logically can be done when the project is completed?!
Labour party’s fatal disease is handing out contracts to overseas bidders instead of developing local capacity. Our Public Works is disgrace! Circus and sewo cannot distract the masses for ever. What is the Ringmaster trying to hide? The Freedom Party is uniting the people to demand we see the money trail. Time is at hand. Corrupt practices will be rooted out.
Is this of importance now.people are still displaced the Trafalgar wotenwaven bridge is incomplete. We are approaching the rainy season really, PM is this of autmost importance. Why can’t you guys do things in order of importance and fininish one project before heading into another. You have so many advisors what are they advising you. It is sad very sad . this country will go to the dogs if we are hiut by another storm this year. Poor management
“Artist rendition of new West Bridge”
We saw the artist rendition of more than a hundred new Hotels, Hospital, and new Roseau, a new Dominica for that matter which every nation in the Caribbean will envy, and use as a model for the changing and remodeling of their country after Skerrit’s rendition of his now Dominica; as he is accelerating backwards full speed: backwards leaving the rest of the Caribbean and the world in front of him!
The problem is he is seeing it as if he is ahead of everyone, not realizing he is so disoriented he believes his space ship is heading into Space not realizing he is heading to collide with the earth.
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah: (he doh know how to drive).
Every island in the Caribbean are accelerating forward at moderate speed, Skerrit is driving at more than a thousand miles per hour in reverse! At the end of “Skerrit’s day” Let’s see if that bridge will look like the artist rendition.
That looks a beautiful design but how is that going to work with the traffic because that bridge has two lanes but today only one way traffic can pass there. I understand the traffic going out and passing either straight past Malcom Stephen and on to Federations Drive and the other one, the left pass the 7-11 and the gas station. Where is the traffic coming from the opposite direction, from the north as shown in the picture? Perhaps GIS can explain that because they are supposed to know everything about govt.s plans. Turning the Loblack bridge into two lanes would make more sense but that is how its is, if they don’t explain properly we must speculate
Does the government have to include or always have to, Tom, Dick and Harry in its decision-making? Can the current government not make its own decision in these matters?
Why do these people have to put their mouths in everything, probably where they should not, and criticize the government? Are you not being biased as always?
It is stated that there will be jobs for locals. Is this not enough? Should you not be satisfied?
At this point I will state, you non-supporters never will. You have projected yourselves to be consistent critics. It is disappointing.
The PM must also welcome and thank the stakeholders of this project. This is one way of being appreciative. We must look at this positively and with broad minds.
In the same light I can confidently say that you will always be a firm supporter of aimless wayward government. All the garbage they do always seem to over satisfy you. Be ye warned that no type of GPS cannot put Skeritt and his useless gang on track. Some of you know it, you just don’t want admit it.
You can only see this one way with your consistent negativity. I am no such person. From Day One people as you did not give the PM a chance and you continue with your bias words and feelings.
I will not debase myself to join you in this negativism. I will not be part and parcel of it. It is not in my nature/character.
Keep being negative filled with hatred. See how far it will lead you.
Face The Facts: it is a not a good thing to be blind: I can tell you from experience when one is short of vision, or lost all vision physically, they are better off dead! In 1990 I went through a period of almost total blindness, due to untreated hyperglycemia (diabetes), I had surgery on my left eye, last August; unrelated to diabetes; some complication developed, I had lots of difficulties seeing from my left eye until two weeks ago when I had corrective lazar surgery.
I do not know how you manage to exist in this world as blind as you are! You condone everything that is wrong!
Take a little time out to try to analyze the situation before you keep embarrassing yourself with every comment you write.
Read the comments of the person “Tjebe Forte” and see if what that person said makes any sense, to me that person has reflected on something very important which renders the artist rendition of the bridge a simple joke on paper!
Excuse me, but why are there so many contradictions in your statement?
First you are talking about your negative view about THE GOVERNMENT’S decision, then you tell us to be appreciative and look at the decision positively and with broad minds? 
It is something which a wanderer notices; please don’t take too much offence in my decision! 
luckey dubbie that song writer said some years ago that Dominican was living and acting like baboons on island, this man was a visionory singing, he was so correct, may his soul rest in peace.
Ever wonder where his soul ended up for all eternity?
DFP sold their soul to the devil because they believed their was corruption in the UWP, did they investigate for themselves NO and so they followed the now President into the enemy camp, they didn’t know what was awaiting them and from that day forward Skeritt have been turning the screw of the DFP . They didn’t even think of Miss Charles comments about Charles by then the eye of the devil was taking shape , the DFP still have a voice but they have to come out and speak let us hear from them stop hiding.
There is a strong difference between local contractors possessing the skills to complete the job compared to them completing the job in a way that the government likes. Even in America local contractors are not always the first choice – you have to go with who is going to give you a end product that suits your needs. The answer is not always local.
I agree mastiff but at least they should be given a chance, not shut out from the beginning.
The clown show continues unabated at a time when we should be focusing on real development. This is a ground-breaking for Christ sake! If you do all that to start a project, what logically can be done when the project is completed?!
Labour party’s fatal disease is handing out contracts to overseas bidders instead of developing local capacity. Our Public Works is disgrace! Circus and sewo cannot distract the masses for ever. What is the Ringmaster trying to hide? The Freedom Party is uniting the people to demand we see the money trail. Time is at hand. Corrupt practices will be rooted out.
Doc boy, I give you a thousand thumbs up on that one: We are lucky the contract was given to some auxiliary of the China government. We not have to wonder if the contract was given to a Barbadian company based on the orders one known Hartley!
Hahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahha!
You know the one and the same Hartley who is a spokesman and advisor to our very own Mountain Chicken Carpaud (crapo) Mentality, that boy Roosevelt Skerrit! Last election that boy Skerrit was afraid to go to Wesley to try and influence the people of the village to vote for him.
The boy so scared of the great, great, people of my village, he took Hartley to Calibishie, and had my cousins Gloria, and Athena bribing people to go to Calibishie to hear the Barbados idiot talk as if Wesley people would be impressed, and fooled with his Barbadian accent!
Well glad to say my people did not fall for his crap we insulted the corrupted culprits. I wonder if a kickback in the making?
“Doc boy, I give you a thousand thumbs up on that one: We are lucky the contract was given to some auxiliary of the China government.”(FET).
It should read “we are lucky the contract was not given to some auxiliary of the China government.
I doubt any kickback can come from the China government since the loan the money, and spend it themselves, it never goes into Dominica treasury.
When the old state house was fixed years ago by the boys man. What was the procedure used? Was it transpaent.
I did ask for nine months and now it is sooner. The first thing I notice is the side walk,beautiful.Yes one by one full a basket and we are on our way, second to the big apple,. Thanks; we are the small apple, sweet and juicy THANK YOU lord, for your blessings on us.
18 millions for a bridge??? Is it gold plated??
Swinging star for a bridge ??? Why not J zay for thé new hospitalisation??
Well, a little over three hundred million dollars was too much to spend to build the International Airport the UWP was building, so the Labor Party shut it down, and Skerrit spend more than a half of a billion dollars to install landing lights on Melville Hall Airport; two hundred million more than it was costing to build the airport the UWP had under construction; and then got an Indian cricket commentator to tell the world Dominica has an International Airport.
In that case there is no wonder that Skerrit is spending eighteen million dollars to erect a bridge, perhaps less than 1/4 of a mile over a river. That only goes to show our people how foolishly this man gives away the people of Dominica money.
Can anyone blame me for believing that half of that money is going to make it way into the pockets of some politician in Dominica; Shouldn’t I be skeptical: we all should be!
Well said Freedom Party, well said. Thanks. You know of good governance and accountability in high office. It was practiced when you were in office.
Dominica is once again crying for a decent, clean, honest Prime Minister and a loyal open Team of good ministers
I am so confussed! Was it not announced some time ago that a Canadian company had done a study and created a concept design for the improvement of Roseau? If I’m not mistaken I believe that bridges are included in that design, so what’s up with all this new contract? Wonton waste of the country’s resources and depriving the citizens of Dominica the opportunity to earn a living in the country of their birth.
The numbers don’t lie…Dominica’s total revenue in 2015 was $563 Million.
An $18M contract = 3% of Dominica’s total revenue.
Barbados revenue for 2015 is $2.4 BILLION.
Imagine if Barbados awarded a Dominican firm 3% of it’s total revenue…that would be about $75Million dollars or 13% of our revenue, think that would/will EVER happen in our lifetimes…Dominica would open an international airport first!
We have a weak prime minister who is so dependent on outsiders to stay in power he will given the entire country out to retain his post. This is beyond corruption. We already are $1.5Billion in debt, by next budget address we’ll hear we are at $2B while we give the country’s money away.
Tom Brown, so it ok for the government of DA to give NSG Management and Technical contract without giving the companies in Dominica a chance to bid on the job ? please i need your answer ?
Freedomites want to know who is this DFP.
This is a good project,But if the government really want too modify the city proper sidewalks and drainage need to be build around the city,Roseau will still look abandone without proper sidewalks and drainage,This is my advance to the government,When you cross that new bridge after completion,We will be entering to a city that abandone without these new sidewalks and drainages,
why dont the DFP just shut up and take a back sit
I would like to remind the writer of this article that I worked with the Ministry of Comm.&Works for over 36yrs. and I also held a very good position and I was with the Ministry in 1980 when the DFP came into Government the Prime Minister was part of a construction called BOWAC Boyd Walsh & Charles Huhges Shillingford RIP and Boyd were hand picked to construct the E.C.Loblack bridge why did this writer not write about it I guess his eyes were at his backside during that time
DFP trying to be relevant, when clearly they are not. They’re as dead as the doe doe.
Dominicans must sabotage this nonsense. Block this lavish foolish ground braking useless ceremony. People are hungry some are sick . Take care of more pressing important issues mr skerit
Should I comment? No! To sell our passports to criminals and then give some white Bajans a $18 million contract without tender is insultive.
The sometimes D.F.P. will not cut it for back to the future.
that od not mean that they are not right in what they are saying to the nation.
That’s the same thing people used to say about DLP back in the 1980’s .
DFP has a very good record on how to build Dominica and how to restore our good name both in the region and internationally.
During DFP time , there was no corruption and party favorites. There are so many good qualities labor can learn from DFP record.
What allu afraid of? Freedom is coming.
Enjoy your sewo while you can. Labour legacy will end up on trash hip of history!
Best that money had gone into the the total reconstruction of the drains and sidewalks around roseau….tooo many broken drains with holes and ugly sidewalks around the capital…making the city an eye sore..
Does the DFP opinion even matter? It’s like a ghost giving you advice…
Leave my party alone eh. At least they talking when it matters
So why are we afraid of ghosts?
Freedom Party is your worst nightmare.
Yes, if I wuz u, I’d be very afraid!
The lavish spending to celebrate the ground breaking of the new bridge is Skeritt’s manner of showing the Bajan that despite all the criticisms by the opposition and other Dominicans who are being unhappy that the contract is given to them is to spend some money to fool the Bajan in believing Dominicans are happy with his decision to award them the contract and that all is well. The proceeding will be live, Swining Stars will be performing, many of his DLP supporters will be their will their red tshirts and you know how Dominicans love their Stars, he doesn’t care whether the PWD employees are hungry or not, the money spent on the fete is to make him look good.
Kairi radio has reported PWD sponsored the Swinging Stars Band. No money to pay the workers, in fact a worker reported he had not received pay for three weeks, but Blanchard, according to Kairi radio, could find money to pay Swinging Stars.
DFP get with the program all you DEAD!!!!!!
It is good that DFP is coming out to open Dominicans eye in this matter. So sad Dominicans do not know right from wrong even if it hit them on their heads.
That\’s what happens in a Banana Republic. And I know lame back Dominicans will do nothing to fight this blatant corruption in their face!!
i keep hearing Dominicans suffering, Dominicans poor, but everywhere I look here, many have brand new vehicles, expensive gadgets, new homes are coming up. It is true that these may be loans, but if they are suffering, why not prioritize? I agree, though, that the ground breaking ceremony is kinda unnecessary, at least the extend.
18 000 000 dollars for a bridge ??? how it is made ?? the foundation are golden plated ?? it sound very expensive compare to a State palace for ONLY 27 000 000.00 ec$.
right now I just laughing !!can not be true, how long can they fool us like this ?? how stupid we are !!!
no need for the creole festival after the storm, but I need to ear Swinging start after I talk !!!!! what a shame!!
Time and time over we read that a Dominican firm could have been chosen to do the job; well, what Dominican firm has done a job of this magnitude in Dominica before? if so do they have the upfront financing to procure the derricks and dredging equipment necessary for mobilization? The old UWP, during its administration, used Edgehill of Barbados to build the ugly commercial bridges that we must live with because of financial constraints under a turn key agreement. In that type of contract,
the builder completes the project without any compensation during the construction phase; all payments become due at the handover to the client. Is there a local company willing to spend $18 million to construct the bridge and wait for payment until construction is complete? Can anyone of these local companies meet the bonding requirements? The local companies need to form a joint-venture relationship with the chosen contractor and gain the experience for the future.
It could be one of two options or both.
1. Payback for election paraphernalia (The billboards came from Barbados)
2. Money being stacked away for 2020 elections.
3. All of the above
I think it’s all of the above.
All you should have known that back in 2000, the year when Dominica sold its sole to the devil, it was a sad mistake you all were making by merging the freedom party with this lamblike beast. You all thought that you were teaming up to eliminate corruption but little did you all know that you were actually enforcing corruption. Now look at where it’s lead us. The island can be described as desolate at best. Try to get back your supporters from this evil Skeritt party and come back strong. It might seem like the freedom party is dead but still give it a shot
Hmmmmmmmmmm guessing you meant SOUL right?? SMH support or don’t support progress will continue..
Is a good thing you are a dam Die a poora and not leaving in Dominica. Shut your mouth, what you know about Dominica on a daily basis. Envy and Jealouse will kill you in Florida and Skerrit and Labour will leave on. Stupid people. cry and bra Freedom dead and so it shall stay. Shamless people
Aye Tommy I love your comment “Skerrit and Labour will leave on”. It’s time for the to leave for real.
Tom Brown you are a fool!!! Why spend all this money on one bridge when there’s an entire west cost road which is dilapidated and has numerous ditches and one lanes precipices. this needs more attention than one bridge where a celebration has to be made while the country suffer. Why wasn’t there any bidding for this project? Why spend more money in an airport that is constantly being flooded. YOU PEOPLE ARE SO BLIND ITS UPSETTING TO THE STOMACH!!!!!! SMDH!!!!!!!!!!
Don’t call death on your fellow man for politics or for a party. When you or I fall down on the road is they that will come pick us up, not a “freedom right” or a “uwp ite” or a “labour ite” and definately not Skerrit. (unless he happens to be there)
chook them Floridian in the Diaspora, chook them!!!!!!
I agree brother but please, put soul instead of sole. That sole we already lost because a lot of us can not afford new shoes and we have to go back to patching with rubber tire and nails or may Nassief can bring back cheap tennis shoe for us to wear.
Some errors are made by the predicted text on my cell phone. I didn’t read it over before posting
The Florida diaspora who left their nursing job in Dominica for a green card who continue to bash everything government initiate who think that this young man from Vieille Case is the devil can continue fishing jacks on that key west bridge. My guess is if that Vieille Case young man was a LeBlanc, Royer, or Seaman or related to a Prevost that would be ok with them buying half of Roseau with other people’s money. There will always be those who oppose. And that’s good. Skerrit has initiate and done for Dominica in 13yrs than all other Dominica political party combined. LeBlanc was used by England. 10 cent per lb of banana, Eugenia Charles 15yrs left Dominica in a mess. Patrick John wanted to give you coupons in return for you dollar, UWP left your treasury empty. Like it or not is fact
Engineer you can say what you like but Roosevelt Skerrit has no class and it showing badly.
Come on!!
There was no way the DFP could have imagined That. The DFP formed a coalition with DLP under the leadership of “Rosie Douglas”.