UPDATE: Blackmoore clarifies non-payment to truckers issue (with audited payment of project)

Public Works Minister Rayburn Blackmoore

Public Works Minister Rayburn Blackmoore has issued a comprehensive statement seeking to clarify the issue of non-payment to truckers sub-contracted to work on the Lot 2 Project – the $74.8 million airport road from Melville Hall to Pond Casse.

The truckers have been complaining about late payment, and indicated that Project Contractor Emile Gaddarkhan et Fils (EGF) had blamed the government for this.

The Minister’s statement says “Towards the end of May, 2012 the Contractor announced having difficulty in settling the payments due to the workers, truckers and suppliers of the project.   The Ministry of Public Works, Energy and Ports conducted the necessary investigation of the Contractor’s and found out that only one interim payment, the last one, claim #11 was outstanding complaint.  That last claim has since been long settled by the funding agency, AFD”.

“We are however learning of allegations made by the Dominica Tipper Truckers Association that Government has not paid the Contractor, Emile Gaddarkhan et Fils and as a result the truckers cannot be paid. That accusation is false and deliberately bends on misleading the public,” the statement said.

Minister Blackmoore says the truckers ought to know that the Government is not the one paying the contractor for the works on the Lot 2 Project.

He has explained that the contractor’s claims for the works executed are paid directly by the funding agency, AFD “and to date all of Emile Gaddarkhan et Fils claims have been settled by the AFD so there is absolutely no legitimate reason why the Truckers should not have been paid”.

That’s said to be the basis on which Minister Blackmoore advised the truckers “to take the necessary legal action for guaranteeing the settlement of their outstanding claims”.

The $74.8 million airport road project is funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and was scheduled for completion by this month on June 19.

It involves the rehabilitation of 24 kilometres (km) of roadway.

The government says it now hopes that the project can be completed between August and October of this year, and has employed two other sub-contractors to work on specific aspects (areas) of the project.

The Public Works Ministry has indicated as well, that the government and the Agence Francaise de Developpement are expected to sign a loan agreement for additional works on the Melville Hall to Pond Casse Road today (Friday June 22  2012).

Below is the audited payment on the project as provided by the Director of Audit, Clarence Christian.

 

 

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69 Comments

  1. John Paul
    July 25, 2013

    Why did it take Blackmore so long to make that clarification?The Truckers don’t deserve proper information from the Minister when they are hurting?
    Is that wickedness or is that just wickedness?

  2. concerned
    June 24, 2012

    If blackmore is right why are they not firing Ghadakan from the project and sue him for not delevering the project on time skeduled, it ist not high time we hold the contractors accountable?
    Ghaddakan has been boasting at his cool out spot in Capesterre that he is in full controle of our government, if he doh give them money they cannot pay cicil servants, how much more we do not know.

  3. Mr Gouty
    June 23, 2012

    Mr minister who will pay the new contractors is it the AFD and is the DLP taking gadakan to court

  4. Anthony P. Ismael
    June 22, 2012

    Hurricane had a good calypso a few years ago: Everything for we is a controversy. He never lied yet. :-P

  5. simply blessed
    June 22, 2012

    allu dont know what it is not to get paid for so long. light bill in arrears, water in arrears, owing shop for groceries. alas poor dominichen

  6. hola
    June 22, 2012

    The director of audit statement does not answer the questions. There is a schedule of values. There is value of work performed and a budgeted cost to the work that was performed. So why was the contractor paid the money when the value of work performed is way above budgeted codt of work scheduled and the project is way behind schedule. The auditor aught to be ashamed of presenting this document. The truth is in what is not being revealed by the government. Stop insulting our intelligence.

    • PROF. WIKILEAKS
      June 22, 2012

      Hola, you have never Project Managed anything…Have you ever heard of cost over runs and behind schedule.

    • Mistery
      June 22, 2012

      You need to cultivate your mind before you engage your self on matters such as these.

      • Hola
        June 22, 2012

        Mistery your mind is way to jacked up to discisd anything with you. Did you make a point? Cause i can’t tell whether you are actually sane or confused.

    • Hola
      June 22, 2012

      “You never project manage anything” i wonder whether it is worth engaging in such level of conversation.
      PROF WIKILEAKS in this business it is called change orders not cost over run. What need yo be clarified is who picks up the the change orders. Is the cost “overrins” the owner’s fault or the contractor’s. Why are tax payers shouldering an added 12 million dollars when kadakan had a contract to deliver the job at the contract price. That should the obvious question. Not whether i know what cost overun is. Stop being a fool PROF WIKILEAKS. Simple terms did we get value for the money we paid kadakan? If so why didn’t your liars
      tell us that the project was impacted by inforseen sight conditions that incurred added cost. Only a jack $$$$$$$$$$$ cannot see the deception therein. Ooops that would be people like Peeping Tom and Idiot extra ordinaire Prof WIKILEAKS.

    • John Paul
      July 25, 2013

      Yes! That reminds me of when Austrie was waving some documents at the ASPHALT Plant in Layou lol

  7. Good Ways
    June 22, 2012

    Mr Blackmore is it true that all the monies out standing to Emile the goverment only paid it in June 2012 and immediately Garnished all of the funds? Leavin the company without any cash to pay its workers. Is also true that the project is duty free but todate your department has not facilitated that and the company has had to buy all material with duty on it? Tell us MR Blackmore what effect would that have on the company?

    • 1979
      June 22, 2012

      is that so?????
      DNO i think an interview with Emile Gaddarkhan et Fils would send ur hits through the roof…

  8. Anonymous
    June 22, 2012

    Wow! There is no pleasing Dominicans, is there? One minute, they want transparency, they want report, give it to them, they cannot handle it. Is a lie….. Incredible!

    • 1979
      June 22, 2012

      we know that a half truth is just as effective as a lie…. that’s what’s up

      • 1979
        June 22, 2012

        ask Mr. Blackmoore what is on that piece of paper he have in his other hand behind his back there. yes the one in the other hand

  9. PROF. WIKILEAKS
    June 22, 2012

    I would hate to wake up one day and to have the thought process of the uwp supporters.

    Small caved-hole minds with a lot of senseless noise

    The moment this is posted, they are going to validate my point with dislikes…they will log on/ log off and give multiple dislike votes.

    • 1979
      June 22, 2012

      so says the director of audit…

      wiki have a banana, it helps the prostate. 8)

    • Met Yo
      June 22, 2012

      it have a log in and log off option here nuh?

      but wikileaks know all the techniques man?

      lol….boy lemme go have a beer..its hot

    • ROSEAU VALLEY
      June 22, 2012

      Forgive me but you certainly did not express yourself as a distinguished Professor with this comment. Notwithstanding the fact that I do not normally agree with your point of view (like most readers on this website), we are respectful of your right to express your views and your right to affiliate with whichever political party that you support. You need not be so impolite, ill-mannered, disrespectful and dismissive of others with a different point of view sir.
      As an educated –doctor/diplomat of your party, you should know better. Many of us are sympathetic to the UWP but it would seem that it is you sir, who is manifesting a “small caved-hole mind with a lot of senseless noise” on this website. The debate is great. We should embrace the opportunity to engage each other in publicly but respectfully. We should use the opportunity to engage in intelligent discourse. Come on Professor-WIKILEAKS, you have demonstrated your weakness and may have allowed your emotions and political biasness to leak through your red infected brain.

      • PROF. WIKILEAKS
        June 22, 2012

        Roseau Valley you have your opinion and I do have one as you likely stated. I have analayzed most of the debate here and I have come to this reasonably conclusion that the uwp and its people were formed on hate and anger and that has defined the party.

        You and your party are not interested in Dominca….no wonder Timothy left you guys, Dr Darroux. What is there to be sympathetic about the uwp…really…really….what good has the uwp done to and for DA that warrants a constant bashing of the government.

        The place I was born and grew up and the many palces I have been around in Dominica, I get the sunken feeling that saying the word uwp and you get a bad vibes.

        So my friend, I am sorry I can’t sympathize with you on your hatred , anger, divisiness and unpatriotism.

        Nothing in life is perfect, nowhere in life is perfect, no one is perfect and Dominica will never be perfect…BUT DOMINICA AIN’T ALL THAT BAD BUDDY!!!!!

      • Nac Vibes
        June 22, 2012

        Give that Man/Woman a Cigar.

    • Real
      June 24, 2012

      I so happy d averaged Dominican not in dat clan..day will remain braga braga and we will enjoy d development of our tinny country..18 to 3..

    • ROSEAU VALLEY
      June 25, 2012

      Prof, I am not sure that your assessment of the debate can be aptly described as “reasonable”, which inevitably makes your conclusion incorrect… We are all interested in Dominica’s development. Sir- Yes you too, albeit you, peeping and others would do it in a different way. Your statement is baseless, to say the least. It is not true Prof that the UWP was born out of hate. I would not say that about the Labour Party or Freedom Party, which have a proud traditions and .history. I respect you as a Dominican and Labourite even if I do not share your point view.
      Prof- I am one of those who mourned the lost Tim at the time…but I soon learnt why the UWP leaders did not trust him. He has been a miserable disappointment. Tim did not leave the UWP for the reason you have advanced. Tim only demonstrated his selfishness, impatience, arrogance and greedy for power, influence and money.
      Prof, do you sense any hatred, anger, divisiveness and un-patriotism is my contributions? Come on Prof, go back and read all what you have written on this website and tell me who is narrow minded, filled with hate, divisive and sometimes naïve.
      The comparison is light day and night.

  10. June 22, 2012

    So what was taking minister Blackmore so long to come and clear the air? I find government ministers can make themselves pass aa real nuisances.

  11. ROSEAU VALLEY
    June 22, 2012

    The Minister’s statement appears not to be well edited. I do not understand the statement, “The Ministry of Public Works, Energy and Ports conducted the necessary investigation of the Contractor’s (??(“claims”) ??(“activities”).

    Nevertheless, allow me to say well done Hon. Blackmore. It is always a good thing when Ministers of Government engage in this type of disclosures, albeit we expected this much earlier. Transparency and honesty with the people will set you free sir. Please advise the PM and other members of the cabinet of the power of truth, honesty, transparency and accountability.

    Now, the tables are turned. It is for the main project Contractor, Emile Gaddarkhan et Fils (EGF) to tell us the truth of the matter. If in fact, he has been paid by the government, why the hell has the truckers not been paid. Again, if Mr. Blackmore is correct, it is not the government to be blamed but the main Contractor. The Truckers association should in fact apologies to the government for giving the impression that the government was at fault and they should take immediate legal action against the Contractor- if the Minister’s statement is correct.

  12. dissident
    June 22, 2012

    The Government……has now employed two other contractors. Really? Therefore is it the Government that will be responsible for making payments to these 2 sub-contractors? Wow. That’s interesting.

    And for all those of u that too backward, it is the contractor who told the Truckers Association that they are being owed money by government. They did not think that up on their own.

    Another point. Is the contract date has past then will the government be bold enough to say that the contractor has breached the contract? And why is there no talk on penalties. It appears that the government and the Minister Blackmoore are in attack mode against Dominican Citizens (truckers) while they patting the wrist of de foreign contractor.

    Kill us slowly.

  13. A Voice
    June 22, 2012

    Okay, okay. Let me see if I can get through this maze in one piece.

    The government has a business arrangement with the AFD to provide funding for the project. The AFD is responsible for paying Gaddarkhan who is in turn responsible for paying the truckers. The truckers are not getting their money so they blame Gaddarkhan who in turn blames the government. (So for one thing the government is getting a black eye there).

    Funny, but I didn’t see the goverment taking any action against Gaddarkhan for sullying their good name nor taking any action to see that the truckers (citizens of the Comm. of Dominica who they are responsible for and answerable to) receive their just due from Gaddarkhan.

    So the project was suppose to finish this month but instead it is expected to finish till October. (Boy, talk about massive over-run).

    So at the same time that the current project is supposed to have finished and it is not, the government is signing a new agreement with the same AFD to start a new project.

    Seeing that the government have had to hire two sub contractors because the main contractor could not finish the road as contracted to, is that same contractor (Gaddarkhan) going to be given the new project as well?

    I did say that this whole thing was a maze…And somebody is not telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I DO smell a rat!

    Anyhow you look at it, the truckers and the citizens of Dominica are the ones left holding the short end of the stick…

    I watchin’ still!!!

  14. Morihei Ueshiba
    June 22, 2012

    Wow Blackmore turn on Gaddarkhan right after he hire two subcontractors i wonder if emile did not pay extra on the side, ask i asking.

  15. Woywoywoy
    June 22, 2012

    Matt. 12:25 “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.”

    I wonder what will it be like when the other party gets into power and those who learnt from the current dissenting crew start their dissing? No happy days ahead, as I see it!

    • 1979
      June 22, 2012

      I am neither for Nor against
      ANY PARTY THAT COME AND IS NONSENSE THEY DOING

      Ill be right here losing my foot

      since there is not such thing as an “honest” politician con di PRO.Aaron …. none shall be spared….

      • 1979
        June 22, 2012

        when ALL DOMINICANS lift DOMINICA on their shoulders and MAKE these ELECTED OFFICIALS understand that it is the PEOPLES WORK they doing…. we will be moving in the right direction…..

        till then we will be continued to be played like a violin and BEATEN with our political colors.

    • Portsmouth
      June 22, 2012

      That is why the people must take control of their government. Stand for transparency,truth,honesty. A message must be sent to all politicians. We rooted out the UWP on allegations of corruption and i thought we were serious now we have a very corrupt and ineptly malfunctioning regime and so many off us the same people who hated UWP corruption are condoning this shameful administration. By the way i rallied to get UWP off. In retrospect i left the frying pan for the fire and i am being grilled.

  16. Doc. Love
    June 22, 2012

    Someone help me,I am confused.Wasn’t it Blackmore who gave Gaddarkan an alternative as regards the completion on the road in June. Is’nt it Blackmore who is giving a further alternative until October.Therefore, Government has given itself some kind of responsibility even though it is the AFD who is funding the project.As a government, whatever is against the interest of your people it is your business,therefore,wether it is the Chinese or Gannarkan who are hurting your people,you must put your people first.

  17. Peeping Tom
    June 22, 2012

    Thanks, Hon. Minister. Responsible leadership exemplified.

    Again, you confirm that the DLP administration is one that listens and is very responsive to its people.

    Thank you.

    • 1979
      June 22, 2012

      YYYYYYYAAAWWWNNNNNN!!! please someone cover my mouth…

      • Drake
        June 22, 2012

        Let the violine band play on deck while the ship is sinking.

    • Met Yo
      June 22, 2012

      hahahahahahahahahahaha 8-O

      I needed that laugh today there papa

    • June 22, 2012

      you, Mr peeping Tom, foolish you foolish man? After so many cries from the truckers, its only now blackmore coming out and say something and you find that is responsible leadership? Put some sence in allyou head noh man. It’s no wonder you will just stay peeping like peeping tom!!!

    • Shameless
      June 22, 2012

      PT you take Minister Ian and Wiki job from them man? Since you were introduced to the most high as the DNO Blogger named PT you have gone from an independent voice to a Brown Noser. Please STOP your nonsense immediately and return to the independent minded person you used to be.

      Assertive, Not Agressive!

    • Nac Vibes
      June 22, 2012

      Boy i’m wondering how much they are paying you to carry Satan’s heavy load.

  18. Anonymous
    June 22, 2012

    Mr. Minister, you all too quick to call people liars. The truckers said that Gadakan was the one who told them that govt had not paid him. They did not make up a story.

    • Anonymous
      June 22, 2012

      well a’ll you Dominicans foolish , you all ask for it now you get it and now is it to later, so what the hell you all want bloodly hell get with it, go look for the Dam contractor and a bloodly well ask him

  19. FACTS
    June 22, 2012

    We need to hear from the AFD and Ghardakan

  20. linky
    June 22, 2012

    if it was so mister would never take all that time to explain it .i don’t believe u blackmoore.

  21. Pedro
    June 22, 2012

    Great explanation, but very late. Whats up with the government PR machine? There is also a GIS. The Government should be more proactive on disseminating information or combating misinformation, particular those which can be controversial. It should not be a job for lawyers and supporters of the party.

    • Hola
      June 22, 2012

      Peter garcon you that gullible. The truckers have a right to file a lin on the project. Why is blackmoore sending the truckers to kardarkan when he knows that. There is more to come peter don’t get fooled so easily. Remember the threats to gardarkan? Why is he not booted of the job? Is the election money a factor?

  22. Nacinimod
    June 22, 2012

    Quick math: 22 kilometers = 13.67 miles. Total cost of project $74.8 million. That works out to be ECD $5.5 million per mile or a little over $2 million US dollars per mile.

    Since they are simply expanding an existing road without building tunnels or fly-over bridges I find the cost a tad expensive.

    • Peeping Tom
      June 22, 2012

      Contextualize. Contextualize.

    • 1979
      June 22, 2012

      Well Gaddarkhan et Fils (EGF)done ship out that money already…..

      Dominica’s two main exports, Money and People….

      maybe that’s why LIAT so desperately needs to stay afloat…

    • Anthony P. Ismael
      June 22, 2012

      And if you know the terrain and have driven in that area, you will understand why the cost per mile is so expensive.
      Your calculations are in line with cost of major projects in Dominica because of our mountains, rivers and annual rainfall. I counted approximately six bridges that either need to be constructed or reconstructed because of various rivers in the area.
      This is the same reason why we do not have an international airport. Excavation cost alone is approximately 80% of the entire project.

      • lando
        June 24, 2012

        Ismael previousadministration undertook major road works in Dominica much more than this administration has done on 13the years. Facts and evidence shows that the Freedom Party completed several major road projects within the first term in office and the projects were all done successfully. The UWP also performed remarkably. So far everything that this administration touches turns out to be a fiasco.

  23. lumpsum
    June 22, 2012

    something is wrong, we need to get jacque gardakan side of the story,,, that government is very good a lying to the people..

    • June 22, 2012

      goog point

      these guys cant be trusted

  24. Drake
    June 22, 2012

    The truckers are just the dominoes. The players kaddakan and the government are the ones distorting the facts. The truckers should have been able to file a lin on the project then we will know what the truth is.

    • kakarat
      June 22, 2012

      Here we go again!
      You have made your statement like it is factual.

  25. Nacinimod
    June 22, 2012

    I suspect Gaddarkhan’s burn rate far exceed progress payments from the funding agency. He should have had a reserve fund (or a line of credit at NBD) to help synchromize cash flow.

  26. 1979
    June 22, 2012

    I am man enough to retract any unfair statements that I have made in that respect, However Mr. Blackmoore, time and again your government has made its own bed… Isn’t this the SAME Gaddarkhan et Fils (EGF) that was contracted to supply Asphalt for the entire length of the ROAD REHABILITATION PROJECT?????? even paving in-front of our own million dollar asphalt plant and PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT….. NOT TO MENTION facilitating this company with an asphalt plant site which was DENIED to PUBLIC WORKS, not to mention its location in such a controversial area???? though I don’t want to be unfair..

    YOU ALL DESERVE THAT KICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    for putting down YOUR OWN people in support ” Gaddarkhan et Fils (EGF)”

    TAKE THAT!

    • 1979
      June 22, 2012

      how does it feel to be USED Mr. Blackmoore??????

      not so sweet when the shoe on the other foot right?

      • 1979
        June 22, 2012

        correct me if I am wrong but isn’t this the same Gaddarkhan et Fils (EGF) who made millions on the road rehab project????? well…………….?

    • Correction
      June 22, 2012

      1979 you are very, very, very i just cannot put how much ‘VERY’ because of space and time, but you are extremely ‘NARROW-MINDED’ and really need to stop your ranting because it is not telling good on you!!!!

      What ‘KICK’ may i ask did Blackmore get? Are you now putting down development in your country in support of GADDAKHAN? We want our damn rod complete boss and that is the damn issue, stop making gaddakhan use you because he knows all you EDDIOTS will jump for joy if the project stall and we the people suffers, as long as the blame can be put on this government you a… are happy…

      Digusting!!!

      • Correction
        June 22, 2012

        Road not ‘ROD’ sorry.

      • 1979
        June 23, 2012

        HA HA HA……… someone help correction, he needs a complete “ROD” LOL nice one, u sweeten me with that one…

        now stop being a sour puss

        I take ownership of not being “good”, yep that’s me…!!!
        do you have anything else to say??? let it all out it’s sure to add to your years.

      • 1979
        June 23, 2012

        I see you need a thumbs up, Im going to give you one for that good laugh, and for making me feel so well READ….

  27. Grotesque
    June 22, 2012

    ok Thanks for Clarifying :wink:

  28. the word
    June 22, 2012

    Thanks Mr. Blackmore, Some Dominica just comment without getting the fact straight, And some of them are just quick to bring down the Government.

  29. patriot
    June 22, 2012

    THANK YOU MR BLACKMOORE FOR THIS EXPLANATION.

    Contractor, Emile Gaddarkhan et Fils should now explain to the truckers why they withheld such vital information from them while at the same time giving the impression that government was late with payments and as a result they were unable to pay the them.

    where is the money Emile ?

  30. Joe
    June 22, 2012

    Wait, WHAT?! 8-O

  31. I & I
    June 22, 2012

    These truckers too quick to blame Govt for everything,they think that they can just run on radio and open their mouth without finding out what is going on!

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