Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit is defending his government’s decision to contract a foreign firm for the $22-million sea defense wall and rehabilitation project in for Soufriere, Scottshead, Galion and Point Michel.
Co Williams and Company Limited – a Barbados firm – signed the contract for the project this morning.
Skerrit says there is a growing greed and selfishness among some contractors on the island.
“We believe that we have the capacity and the brain and the know-all to take everything and forget about our brother and sister next door who do not have a contract,” he said.
According to Skerrit, all those who tendered went above the estimated contract sum.
“I want to ask somebody whether anybody in government getting any kick back as a result of excessive tendering,” he said.
Skerrit said every local contractor has gone beyond the estimated price.
“Those of us who ought to know better, we politicize everything and not coming as professionals about the matter,” he said.
Sometimes we must bite the bullet even if the cost is higher for the country’s sake. After all this is tax payers money This project should have been awarded locally unless the bids were way off base. This is similar to The USA shipping jobs to China. This only further increases our foreign debt. I am beginning to agree with some of your regular contributors who cite arrogance and in some cases incompetence with your local leaders. There must be a hidden agenda that we are not aware of.
Very well said, J.J.John Charles. I’m from Portsmouth and voted for DLP. We do not all agree with everything the PM says, because this is nonsense. I wonder if the Barbadian contracting firm is concerned about the welfare of their brother and sister next door.
WHAT I WILL SAY IS THIS ……………..JERRY BRISBANE WAS RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OBSERVE WHAT THE PM SAID WITH CARE …………
JERRY IS A GOOD THING I DID NOT BOYCOTT YOUR BUSINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
CAN YOU GUYS IMAGINE THE MONEY THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN SAVED IF ALL OTHER PROJECTS WERE TENDERED??????????????????????
MA GWAY SA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If the PM had nothing to do with the tendering,just say so.And stop arrogantly belittling his people.
all i can say is man used to get free money from the red clinic. excuse me “assistance” and they not getting it again, of course they will be greedy, money wi. all them contractor man children mother canna go red clinic again yeah
i know for a fact that it had 2 women that come with a child red clinic, 1 go in with the child, get money come back out, the other woman that was with her dress the child in another clothes and go in with the same child pretendin is another child for them to get more money. no matter what it will always have greedy ppl.
time they can just put it in a report and say having red clinic reducing poverty in Dominica. anybody know why they stop it? time they bring it back.
I am hoping that atleast somebody will read this and make some sense out of it for the rest of those who posted comments here. The government of Dominica was not the agency/organisation issuing or rather selecting the contractor, even if its a loan to the government of Dominica by the CDB. The CDB controlled every aspect of the contract issuing process from design and estimates to the tendering process. Every stage had to be approved and signed off on by the CDB. Tenders were issued in every CDB member country and even international. Govenrment could not tell the CDB who to give the contract. C.O Williams a Babarbadian firm is the CDB’s choice. C.O williams has worked in every CDB member country including Dominica. In Dominica C.O Williams just completed the Loubiere Brand bay Road. Under Mamo the company undertook the hydo-electricity project on the Freshwater lake
When any government contract a loan with the CDB it is the CDB that controls the proceess and determines who or which contractor gets the job. Ask Tony Le Blanc from ACE Engineering and I am very definitley sure he SHALL confirm that he is VERY satisfied that the process used by the CDB was open and transparent and that he does not have any money to pay to any government Minister. You can go further and ask Jerry Brisbane. He too asked the CDB to be more open, traqnsparent and stringent when lending to Dominica’s Skerrit.
LET US STOP THE NAKED, CRASS PARTICAN POLITICKING ON EVERY ISSUE MATTER, PROJECT. THE PROJECT IS WELL INTENTIONED AND IT HAS MET THE CTRITERIA FOR OPENNESS AND TRANSOPARENCY. FIGHTING WILL NOT TAKE US ANYWHERE
I have dealt with several lending agencies over the past decade and a half.And, while they have certain stipulations, like contracts must go to firms from countries to which they are affiliated (the EU, for example, insists contracts go to firms from EU countries, therefore eliminating US contractors), and while the lending agencies have to be kept abreast of all developments, never in my experience has any funding agency invite tenders/bids, get directly involved in the selection process or award the contracts. This is done by the burrowing agency or the one receiving the grant.
Thank you. The funding agency does not dictate the general provisions of a construction contract. The funding agency does not make decisions on labo , material procurement requirementr nge
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anonymous u looking for attention man? calling possie people idiot.well done pm award the contract to who best fits the requirements
history will rate this government as the most inept, corrupt and useless regime in this country’s history.
why was the chinese state house not tendered. why does the government continue to do wrong to its people. May the day of reckoning come and soon.
Hartley Henry is working wonders!!!!
All I have to say is when contracts are awarded internally the money is spent and flows within the economy. When money flows people are happy children are fed and the crime rate is lower. When they are spent externally people get poorer and crime rate rises.
I hope public works doesn’t have to fix anything after the project is “completed”
Some persons will just agree to everything Roosevelt says..
because the man makes more sense than you logg heads
no cuz you’re a poto skerrit supporter. and skerrit supporters does agree with everything he say no matter what he say. allu not fooling nobody. other ppl actually have their own opinion and have the courage and commonsense to disagree. and u don’t have to be a uwp supporter to disagree.
Consistency allows everyone to have an unwavering positive opinion of government policies instead of occassional use of transparent means. We need a mature democracy and not one that is reactive after the issues are in the public domain but rather responds if possible to issues before they surface.
My question to the PM is, Sir what do you mean by?.
“……And the know-all to take everything and to forget about our brother and sister next door who do not have a contract”
MR. Skerrit, Co Williams/Barbados is not Haiti who is desperately in need of help.
According to the PM.
Every local contractor has gone beyond the estimated price.
Again, were they aware of the estimated prise.?
What about the foreign company?
Under the Freedom Party, Canada funded the rehabilitation of the road from Portsmouth to Hatton Garden.Do you know who got the contract,Sentra from Canada.Roseau to Grand Bay road and Roseau to Hatton Garden. The countries which gave the money (USA and G.B.) gave the contract to their contractors. We don’t even have to go far,China and the west coast road which is in progress.He who pays the fiddler calls the tune.
Now If the $22.000.000 is a grant from Barbados,No problem.But if the tax payers have to pay back the sum to the CDB with interest. My God in heaven how can you bite the hands that put you in office?they have to pay back the loan.
Something could be said or done. I am sure the local contractors would lower their asking prise.And the millions would remain in the country.
It is said that Dominicans have more love for strangers than for their own.
Can’t we find a quailfy Dominican to manage our National Bank?.
Under the DFP we received 15 and 10% as share-holders, from 1995 both UWP and DLP 7% dividend,don’t talk about Domlec.
Non Dominicians work faster. Our people tends to lay back and then say the money is not enough and then end up in court.
dont ask the same lay back and money not enough people for vote
well i must agree with the PM at these times ppl just looking for there own..and all man knows that where the price is right thats where you will be heading so if Dominicans think they going to rob the country because they feel like the prime minister should pay for what ever reason it might be,will just have to think again…i am not trying to sound bias but ,what the PM said is true
You have my support. We Dominicians wicked sometimes
I am quite saddened that the PM chose to give the contract to foreigners, he has taken the much needed funds from the Dominican economy and given it to the Barbados economy.
What pains me most, is the lack of respect that the PM has for the very people who elected him into office. “Skerrit says there is a growing greed and selfishness among some contractors on the island” It this really how the elected leader of the people, the man the contractors voted into office, is that really how he views his people? as greedy and selfish!!!
If the Prime Minister sees the contractors in that light, how, and I ask how will potential investors look at contractors on the island? Will any potential investor want to work with Dominican contractors, after this condemnation from the Prime Minister. (NO WONDER THE CHINESE COME TO DOMINICA FULLY STAFFED AND DO NOT HIRE DOMINICANS). Mr. Prime Minister what have you been telling the Chinese about your fellow Dominicans? Sir be careful how you represent your own people, it may be your own undoing.
That is why sometimes we wil remain IGNORANT DOH MATTER WHERE WE GO AND HOW MUCH DEGREES WE HAVE ACHIEVED.Hater you must read before you make your comments bcus all what you said there just PROVES WHAT AND WHO YOU ARE.Case closed.
Wow!!!! Ouch!!!! I must have touched a nerve!!!!! If the cap fit wear it!!!!
skerro do right calling them greedy,he is i charge so he can do what he want.they will still vote for him,do not give them jobs skerro they too lazy.
My observation as usual tends towards the fact that more Dominicans are employed in neighbouring Caribbean countries than in Dominica. Keep it up, let us see what will happen when those countries decide to send Dominicans back to their own country.
For those of us who like to be quick to comment or just repeat what we are told by other uninformed individuals who many times have their own selfish motives here are some facts regarding this Pointe Michel sea defense project.
This project is CDB funded to the tune of 22 million XCD. the CDB tendering progress allows for all companies in member countries to tender for this project. in addition, requirements exits for companies who have a track record in handling such large projects, who have had cash flows exceeding certain amounts (in millions) etc. unfortunately in our beloved Dominica there aren’t any companies with the capacity to handle such projects and so this conditions would automatically render them incapable of tendering. therefore, its only logical that a foreign company with the capacity would have to be contracted.
However, our local companies can be contracted to do smaller portions of the work. this is what will happen since ACE Engineering was present at the signing of the contract.
So before you all do what all you do best “criticize” read, research and get your facts straight.
so true my brother the biggest problem dominica have is its people and half these local contractor that are preaching sh*& they dont even meet d requirements need to obtain such ah large project how man of them is capable of carrying on the project if there is default in payments late etc and what is most of these companies locally anual turnover do they surpass 20 million 10 million ah year, C O Williams construction ltd can show u turnover of over 50 million dollars per year so plz dominican the contract has already been signed and sealed so d next move is to make sure we get value for our money
And ah word to all local contractors C O Williams construction ltd is one of the leading contracting company in the caribbean with branches in various countries and if you locals dont stop fighting each other and try to expand and grow that said company will come and take all your job and leave u all behind lagging,cause any country they go to work they end up not leaving and expandy because they are 1.Efficient 2.Quality 3.Ontime and they sure do pay betta that all them local companies here.
well, the prime minister is a foreigner- i do not expect that he awards the contratc to locals. Just one question- would it be better for Dominica to pay out the 22 m to a foriegn company or pay 23m into the local economy- whats the opportunity cost?- any high school ecomonic students would rather invest that money into his local economy-
i cannot understand how the PM impress the dominican populace- ethier we are down right terreberre or he given u all cocomackac to dring.
His rationale is completely flawed, and most regrettable insulting to the Dominican people
So the PM just saved the tax payer a goodly sum of money and for some of you, your only concern is the man’s sentence structure? You guys cannot be serious. Perhaps we should get an English professor to waste the money instead. Unbelievable!!
Piper based on your comments below, you know better than that and you don’t believe what you posted but again like a typical Dominican, once you support a political party whatever that party say they are right. I would like the PM to publicize the bids that were so excessive that he had to drain 22 million from our economy….And before you go there, I am not affiliated with any political party in Dominica.
So now, you want to tell me what I do and don’t believe. Is there anything else you want to tell me that I don’t know about myself?
For the record I am not neither a DLP nor Skerrit supporter.
I think the government did the right thing to awad the contract to the Bajan company provided they meet the terms of the contract. That will send a shot across the Dominicaan companies that they must come good the next time. Why should tax payers pay more because the contractor is Dominican? And then you guys complain about VAT?
Anytime they can control cost, that is a good thing.
Will there be a next time??? All major projects are being done now!!!!!
It’s simple if the contract is awarded locally
Local people are employed
Local people pay tax to DOMINICA
Local people pay vat to DOMINICA
bajans pay tax to BARBADOS
it’s simple more money comes back to us through tax and VAT if it’s locally done
I’m not against giving foreigners contracts when local companies are unable to perform the tasks effectively but when they are available and can be monitored then why not let them do it. I’m sure a negotiation could take place to lower the estimates of some of the local companies. but again that’s just my opinion
C.O. Williams (cow) has done numerous projects in st lucia and yes looshans were hired.
So i doh see no reason why duminicans (pun intended) won’t be hired.
Keep politicing still….
Charity begins at home Mr PM!! Check your people first, Government does not have to bind itself to the lowest bidder. The Barbados government would not do that……..No way, Bajans first!!
Dominica needs a team of serious, impartial economists to advise him because he sure does not have experience in this department.
My Lord put a hand for Dominica………………………… we need your Divine help.
All u darm a&^ who talking any company can get jobs anywhere in d caricom once u meet the requirement dominican contractors only seeing dominica they dont want to expand and build thats y other company will take there jobs all d time and remember this aint “DNB” money where it can be played around with its “CDB” and local contractors welcome to d big leagues play hard or go home and shut up.
If every body was in that position they would do the same ting
Some of all you will just BRAGG all you mouth and try to sound smart talking bout percentage and different sectors should get this or that… but all i hear is blah, blah, blah…
CAUSE if you building your house and you have 3 contractors from D/A and they go $400,000 over your estimated price and 1 contractor all the way from Australia went only $1.00 over your estimated price what would you do?
Seeing the good Samaritan you are you will give it to the Dominican LOL
then at night you crying your eyeball out
LIKE I ALWAYS SAY
(1) IF YOU BETTER THAN THE PM TRY TO RUN 4 GOVERNMENT
and
(2)IF IS BAD HE DOING WAIT 4 NEXT ELECTION AND TAKE HIM OUT
BECAUSE SINCE ELECTION PAST DEM WORKERS PEOPLE NEVER GIVE DOMINICANS A REST
JUST WAIT 4 ELECTION SEASON TO REOPEN
AND DOMINICA NOT LIKE LIBYA AND CUBA WE VOTING EVERY 5 YRS, LOOK THE PM EVEN ANNOUNCE THE YR OF ELECTION 4 ALL YOU
I am a Barbadian and I know that a Dominican company would never get the project over a Barbadian company. Barbados and Barbadians first, then others!
YOU DAMN LIE
you not a bajan….lol
don’t u mean Bajan? if u are really Bajan?
People just stay on the side and bla bla about things they have no idea wat they talking about.When there is money alocated for a project that’s it so whoever bidding have to bid at that cost or below.Furthermore dominican contractors do not have a good track record when comes to comlpying with contract terms on completion on time,Quality of work and the normal incompetent way in which they conduct business.Dominican contractors not ready ,bottom line.Is their greediness that make the contract go offshore ,no one can blame the pm.That’s why he is the finance minister.So pay jel zor la avec keetay moun ki sa feh twarvy la feh twarvy la.
i TOTALLY AGREE WITH U ACE.. It would be nice if the locals get the contract, but at the same time the contractors in DA whenever they have a project, they always finish wayyyyyyyyy ahead of the the expected completion time..They have a laisefaire attitude..waisting time on the job..
Trust me this project will finish less than no time and the motorists will be enjoying this new road..
There is over 400 Dominicans in babadoes working, should they be sent home and give there jobs to bajans?
Is dat so?? The only place u seeing Dominicans in Bados is at the Embassy.
lol
GOOD ONE!!! Is there u will see them piling up for visa
LMAO
lmao good 1!
There is no problem with awarding the contract for this project to C.O. Williams of Barbados. They are a Caribbean company and perfectly entitled to tender . The company recently rehabilitated the Roseau/Grandbay road. to a standard that easily stands comparison with that currently exhibited on the Wes Coast road. They have the expertise and I have all the confidence that they will make an excellent job of this project also. It does, however make a mockery of the recent DOWASCO fiasco of the tender for a new reservoir at Morne Bruce, where Messrs. Edgehill & Fortune were not even invited on the grounds that they were not a wholly Dominican owned entity.
Cerberus
You are correct – there is noting wrong in awarding a contract to a regional company – especially in light of regional integration. Your PM clearly lacks tact and experience when it comes to diplomacy and PR. His choice of words and language leaves a lot to be desired.
In addition, awarding a regional company the contract in no way rules out kick backs – in fact it may even be easier for a foreign company to provide kick backs under the table to the same politicians who awarded the contract.
The bid is above the engineer’s estimate . I assume that the government does not have to assign the project and request bid reviews. But alas some shall eat all.
Dominicans will also eat since there are a few dominicans living in antigua who works with them, that will be coming home to work on the project.
Any government for the people would create some type of avenue that would allow our local contractors to have a more competitive edge. I say so because I know for a fact that the Barbados government would insure that a Bajan company would get that contract. My wife and I are both engineers and my wife is bajan we are both appalled.
The government should reserve the right to insure that a minimum of 65 % of the labor should come from D/ca. material unless unavailable in Dominica must be procured in Dominica. The government should have implemented requirements for disadvantage business enterprise involvement thus making it possible for small suppliers , subcontractors, truckers etc . Special taxes for foreign contractors should be implemented after all the foreign contractor is not here for the long term this is a transient set up.
All those measures implemented that with mobilization cost a local contractor would be more competitive.
I know that some party apologists will say that the government is just being fair. But what is fair in Dominica or B’dos or St Lucia. After all our government can do everything to make sure that things are in their favor. They told us what their interpretation of consultation is so they can make Carrette police commissioner; They can delay the court to avoid the PM dual citizenship case; They have Tony Astaphan who can make sugar out of cow down .
The country is plagued with low employment; young people are leaving yet we take a tax payer funded project and give it to a Bajan company. This is sad beyond all measures.
That makes my wonder whether it is worthwhile coming home. My heart ache.
What is even worse is the PM ranting about our local contractors. That reminds me of the PM’cs conduct and rage against the truck drivers . If my eyes were closed before now it is definitely open. Wow Wow Wow
All that you’ve written makes a lot of sense, but there is a possibility that those provisions are written into the boiler plate of the contract.
I guess that you are proud to disclose that your Bajan Government Officials are not in tune with the CSME dream right? I am appalled!! You should be congratulating the Dominican Government for not following he example of your Barbadian Government and rather be appalled at your Government.
This Pointe Michel contract appears to be funded by the Caribbean Development Bank and this party set the rules for tendering the job, not the Government of Dominica. Barbados is a member of CDB and bajan contractors are with this regards entitled to bid and be awarded such contract.
Apparently, the bajan company is subcontracting a large of the works they are doing by us.
CDB may set the rules for funding but CDB does not dictate the general provisions of the contract. The owner or shall I say the tax payers of Dominica should dictate the contracts. The general provisions of the contract should include items that would give a local contractor the winning advantage- period. The water and electricity rates should not be the same for a local bidder and a Foreign bidder; Taxes should not be the same either. If the CO company was stationed in Dominica, paying taxes and contributing to the economy on a sustainable basis then the playing field must be a level one.
After all this is what governments do to protect local businesses; the contract should include an “ employ Dominican clause that would put the local contractor over the top. CDB cannot dictate or control our legislation.
What we are witnessing is a mafia system operation where money is funneled through insidious operatives; Are we surprised that there are some Bajan operatives who are directing the PM. The PM has 7 paid advisors and it behooves me to think that these advisors would go along with such a terrible terrible decision.
What was the PM thinking by referring to the local contractors as greedy. A business person duty is to pursue business. If the PM must preach on morality he need to look within himself and his immediate surrounding. The unscrupulous lawyers – those with no moral turpitude are businessmen just the same. These guys would “boldfacely” lie to the public just to receive a $65K check or $20K check here and there. That is what I see as greed- dirty money.
Greed is when politicians take bribe money sell the sovereignity of the people for personal gain- that is greed deserving of jail time.
The next project which will be tax payer funded will be done by the Chinese.
Skerrit can do what he want cuz he running the country. he still winning next election and the next ,and the next ,and the next, and the next………………..
When will we ever learn, That Putting Dominica First is the ONLY OPTION.
To Skerrit, Although im Way younger than you are,,,, You are still Young and still learning.
No matter what the Cost is, you always put Dominica First.
When you Hire a local contractor, you are in Support of your own Dominican Economy. Hiring a Barbadian contractor will take your money back to barbados
Skerrit you call it a (Wall) we see it as economic activities. Keep your Wall if it doesn’t put cash in our pockets, And im not taking about $10 Labourer. We need to see our brothers and sisters get Rich.
We already give Barbados So much of our Money.
Well Dominica’s number one tendering watch dog is going to have a field day with this one ESPECIALLY if those are exact quotes from the PM. If you thought the state house controversy was bad this will take things to a whole new level. I’ll be waiting for what he say on mat in the morning.
We as Dominicans fight too much,we are too greedy and understand things the way we want it.We twist things to suit us,and when it doesn’t,we fly high with fury.let things be,let the foreign company do it,because when our local people do it,they are still boycotting Social Security.Let us stop and think if we would really,honestly settle for the highest bidder.Let the ball roll.That is just me saying what i think.
Here some info C.O.Williams is not ah fly by night company and if u guys dont know it have been in existance way before some who talking were born,ask about the fresh water lake project in the 80’s c o williams was present,the grandbay road they started 3mths behind and still complete ah mth ahead of end date what more can u ask for value for money and again all who is reading this u can visit there website ad educate yourselves more .
This is sick to my stomach, in this bad economy where in the hell with the government of Barbados betrayed it’s nation and people, and give jobs to Dominicans, when it’s all said and done all that money will be invested in Barbados and not DA
Man when traveling to DA, and in transit in Barbados, these people treat other Caribbean Nationalities like dogs, mind you I’ve got a lot of Bajan friends, and relatives, however they are well protecting of their country and prefer having Americans, Canadians, France and UK citizens in Barbados than any other OECS people, what they do say is that Caribbean people will go to their country and commit crime which will drive all their investors, tall them Hollywood millionaires will abandon them and so on
mr skerrit you need to apologize to all the contractors in da, by the way will you be coming to the UK to celebrate Nottingham carnival with us
Bajan contractors and their family will eat and be happy and my nation people are too greedy and selfish what a comment
One Love
I can see you point that a Dominican company should have got the contract, but it seems that they quoted themselves out.
What has happened is not new and I dont see it as a betrayal. IF the Dominican contrators bids were to high, then the government didnot have any other option but the one they have taken.
I presume that you’re commenting from Bradford, so you’ll know that it happens in the UK. and will know that Wembley Stadium, where the main contractors Multiplex are Australian. The Olympic Village in Stratford, where the ground work was done by DEME who are from Belguim (the list could go on and on).
Now that the decision has been made, lets hope that there is a clause that says that Dominican workers are part of the work force.
Honestly ppl.. I believe the government of Dominica should develop a policy wen it comes to contracts in that even if foreign companies are given contracts, at least no less than 35% of that contract should go to local companies. Trinidad and tobago government has developed this strategy because the last administration would give 100% to the foreign contracts and the local companies suffer. ppl get laid off because no job..etc… but now ppl are getting jobs even in this had economic time in Trinidad.
SO Mr. PM, if you want to see ur ppl do well, please help them in a democratic way and not a red clinic way.
My second point is re Caricom single market. Do you all know that Barbados is the only member who is lagging behind,,they do not want anybody to come in there country to work…they even deport a lot of folks more specifically Guyanese. Bajans are very self-centered and think after them, there is non-else. I can tell you; I have been around few a good long while enough to know.
Mr. PM ur words are childish and arrogant.. (the context of ur message speaks for itself). I hope the robustness being displayed by ur fren on the oil rich nation of Libya has not trickled into ur bloodstream because it is not a good display of character Mr. Prime minister. You need to slow ur role….Is that how you told Dominicans you would treat them when you were seeking re-election a year and a half ago? Shame on you Mr. I am not into political party drama. I am just a concern citizen who speaks out when wrong is done and give kudos when good is being done.
Mr PM must be joking. All the local companies are asking for is for jobs to be tender out so that the playing field can be a level one. May the best man win. I see nothing wrong with that. So how can u mr. Pm call them greedy.
On the other note it is for government to create the environment to allow the same small companies to grow so that they can gain the experience and have the requierments to do those big job.
This is a CDB funded project and any company from member countries which has ties with CDB was qualified to tender as long as they meet the requirements. So it was not about selecting an overseas company over the locals.
For all of you making statements about giving the tender to the local contractors let me give you some statistics;
The three LOWEST TENDERS were;
1. C.O. Williams Construction Ltd : EC$23, 523, 170.51
2. Offshore Civil & Marine / Caribbean Contractors Dominica Ltd – EC$25, 097, 154.49
3. Edghill Associates Limited: EC$31, 525,125.39
C.O.Williams was given the contract and the sum is EC$22, 367,500.00 and the funding agency is the Caribbean Development Bank.
Should the government have taken the bid from the D/can tenders who were more expensive? Come on man we have to be more practical than this. I am certain if he gave it to the ACE Engineering or one of the other bidders for over EC$25 million, some of you would still complain when Jerry Brisbane come and give the tendering amounts.
Sackway meshanstay ki zour yeh!!!!!!!!!!!
I am sure DNO can verify the above information as I got it at the ceremony held this morning and it was printed on the program sheet.
And feel free to dislike, we already know that the TRUTH OFFENDS!!!
Great info. My only question would pertain to employing locals to support the project. Will the contractor be required to hire a certain number of Dominicans in certain trades and at certain rates to work on this project? I hope there is a clause that forces the contractor to do that.
Isn’t there normally a stipulation that Government does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender? Do you truly believe that the Barbados government would have given the contract to a Dominican company even if CO Williams was slightly higher?
For ur information ACE Engineering bid together with C.O. Willaims. These figueres u got there looks way too close.
The Prime Minister is not the one who evaluates the bids. A team of Dominican Engineers and experts review the packages,financial qualifications and history of performance of the competitors and select the lowest, most responsive and responsible firm. That the Prime Minister must approve, I do not know; whether he could influence Caribbean Development Bank to finance the undertaking of an unworthy contractor is entirely up to the reader to circumspect.
My only problem is the PM calling the local contractors greedy. I know COW well, and they have both the financial and technical resources to undertake a project of this size. I don’t think any local contractor could compete with them. I can foresee them completing the project successfully.
hey he have all the right to say that whenhe see that the b/dos bid was cheaoer than the d/can bid it let him to say what he had to say
all people chatting d only foreign persons here is there technical staff all other employees of C O Williams construction ltd are locals,operators ,drivers etc so come on people support and some of u who chatting go and look for ah job
What silly rubbish! why would a company put in a bid in excess of the known value of the project? did all the companies know of this ceiling? are the directors of this bajan company friends of a frien of sombody? those questions will always be asked when there is a lack of transperency.
what our boss need to know that we should stop exporting our limited treasury and then continue begging… skerrit should hire a real economist before making such decisions. lets not be limited in our thinking and understanding and know the value that you lose when we export the little that we got.
Caricom …… Caribbean Single Economy … Like Dominicans, them Bajans are West Indians too.
Compete.
yah but D/can not getting those kind of contract in Bdos. When D/cans finish give away we will all sit by the bayside and pache mowen.
lol
DNO Please did you listen to the excerpts from the PM. Clearly the PM did not say that. Only one locally registered company tendered for the project and that was Offshore Civil amd Marine Limited.
I listened to the entire remarks of the PM and in no way he defended the foreign firm over local firms. Your article is totally out of context. As a matter of fact the PM was indicating how on many ocassions the Govt had to assist local firms with contracts to bring them up to the level.
You really need to go over the PM remarks and correct the Story
Not to play devil’s advocate, but if the bids received from Government contractors were above budget (significantly or not), then the Government should go against established tendering rules and regulations?
If they were to do that then another group of people would have problems with THAT decision. Also, such a clear breach of policy would leave the decision-makers open to charges such as “lack of process transparency”, “corruption” and “kickbacks”.
That being said, it would have been a blessing to the country as a whole if the tender had been awarded to a local company. Between the wages of the workers on the project and the payments to local companies for materials/equipment, our economy would have smiled for its duration.
Ultimately, I’m not convinced that the Prime Minister or the decision-makers are solely to blame. As competitive of the construction industry is right now, contractors should make more cost efficient offers.
One comment mentioned that other factors including (I am paraphrasing here) quality of work and ability to stick to a time-line are also very important, and he/was is right about that.
I hope that the decision was made after a holistic analysis and not only a cost-centric one.
That is My2Sense
If a tender come back above ur bugget u have a choice to negotiate or re tender the project.
I agree. But even more how can our local contractors grow and become more effficient when the very job or projects that they need to grow our government does not impliment measures for them to get these government projects.
Back to your point – the bid comes in way above the engineers estimate and I am sure that there will be change orders. All on the tax payers of Dominica. Even more a project that is unwarranted.
Something is wrong .
what is all d fussing about foreign contractor all was given the chance to tender and put forward their estimates which show all surpass by millions of dollars,now its ah problem becaue it was awarded to ah foreign company they have met the requirements and contract is now sign and seal so dominicans live with it and just hope they deliver on time and of high quality
de PM do right…those local contractors getting de big bucks for the jobs and under paying their workers and exploiting them. all of dem too dam greedy! take it like men, whap!
That have to be a typing error. Our PM can not make such a statement. How many Dominican companies working in Barbados or anywhere for that matter. my goodness
how many dominicans working in guada, usvi,tortola,wadali, and so on we dominicans to one sided
the pm just cant win had he given it to a local now it would kick backs i an sure the locals will be paid,better than by thier dominican employers.
boiii dat not de point……so because we live overseas that means his actions are justified? u must be a dumb a&^ to say such a thing….Every country should put its people first. look they want to kick out all dem foreigners in sm…wen they hire de foreigners there they underpayin them…the treat the foreigners like sh&^
Are you ok Mr. Skerrit? These statements were unethical and I am sure there are many moderate contractors in our country who could do this job. You refused to hire them, took Bajans instead? Many Bajans look down on Dominicans, call us ‘little islander,’ you’re telling me you’re hiring Bajans over your own people? First time I’ve heard a country has human resource yet gets foreigners to do the same job.
How can you allow millions of dollars to live our shores? Wouldn’t you rather the money is circulated home instead? Mr. Skerrit, I disagree with your approach this round!
It’s not the first bajan/ caribbean company to receive contract to do work in Dominica when those contracts were awarded skerritt was not pm. So although i would very much like to see these lucrative contracts go to Dominicans, the problem for this ituation is not only the action of the govt, but what Doinicans accept. We believe that once it is foreign it is better and this nothing new. we still have a foreigner as head of the NDB. ..I am not against foreigners getting high positions in Dominica, but this should only happen when no Dominicans are available…
I agree profiler. It is sad the things some of our people accept.
Slow down Mr. PM. Priority is your country folk.
I am not quite sure that Barbados will ever grant such a contract to any regional group.
have any local cotractor eva tried they too busy trying to fight each other than to expand and grow let them stay there ll will watch this company come and take ova everything
22 million is too much money for our people, we want to keep them poor in the Red Clinic so they will always vote us every election.
Is that a new definition of ‘Development’ in DA? – Look after your neighbour before yourself
caricom community live with it
Stupes….. Stop being too greedy and fighting one another … and pay your employees well and not want to make a huge profit at the Dominican’s taxpayer’s expense… When we learn to ask moderate and not exhorbitant prices , then we will be ready to move forward and work for our country.
Not even half of the contract was given to ‘OUR’ people.
COME ON
if those are direct quotes from Skerrit – he sure needs a crash course on the use of the English language. Come on Mr. PM – speak better English the world is watching and listening to you….
Eolved..
my thoughts exactly.. the entire article is poorly constructed I woud like to hear the original presentation….
‘We believe that we have the capacity and the brain and the know-all to take everything and forget about our brother and sister next door who do not have a contract,”
Mr. Skerrit this is an indictment against our people. This is dangerous. I ask you Mr. PM in all your wisdom and arrogance, would any Barbadian government hire a Dominican contractor for such a massive project? All I can say is that I am very sad—very sad.
Well said come on Mr Prime Minister help your people first and if any left then give to your brothers and sisters abroad. If your local contractors were beyond the estimated price as you said, could you not call them in and ask them to at least reduce they estimate., come on PM let the money stay in the country to help Dominica’s economy,please.
Skerrit your language is unbecoming of a leader… ‘growing greed and selfishness’ because the tender was over the estimated sum? Everywhere in the world when companies that bid on a project you’ll hardly find any two companies present the same value bid. And sometimes the cheapest isn’t always the best, other factors such and time, quality and local labour being employed comes into the equation. To call you countrymen greedy and then give contract to vay bajan… when is the last time u see yourself in the mirror? from zero to millions… boy u no easy
Hmn …
Take out food from our mouths and put it in bajans mouth.
Typical Dominican man.
Then again the Grandbay and Portsmouth idiots will still vote for you.
It’s ok to have your dispute with your PM but keep Grandbay people & porsy people out of your greedy mouth.
I am a proud person from Grand Bay. Where are you from? It does not seem like you have an understanding of your own. One sided and ignorant. Why did you not tell your then PM not to sell DOMLEC. Food plus Money leaving Dominica and into the pocket of the new DOMLEC shareholders. Guess what they are not Dominicans.