Concerns raised over PM Skerrit statement about local contractors

Baptiste (left), Le Blanc

Architect Isaac Baptiste and President of the Builders and Contractors Association of Dominica (BCAD) Anthony Le Blanc have both expressed concerns over a recent statement made by Prime Minister Roosevelt Skeritt about local contractors.

Baptiste said the Prime Minister is in no position to speak generally about all contractors on the island while Le Blanc hopes the statement will not be used as a pretext to continue to engaging foreign contractors over local ones.

At a function in Grand Fond on August 23, Skerrit expressed his displeasure with local contractors engaged by the government, who he said, are dishonest in using resources for the intended purpose, saying they were “really pissing me off.”

He warned that unscrupulous contractors risk losing contracts if they are caught cheating the Government.

However, speaking to Dominica News Online (DNO) on Monday Baptiste, who is also a Senator of the Opposition United Workers Party (UWP) said he does not believe the Prime Minister is in a position to speak “generally” of contractors in Dominica.

“I do not believe that the Prime Minister is in a position to speak generally of contractors in Dominica,” he said. “He is not knowledgeable in the area; he has not consulted sufficiently to make any general statement about contractors in general; so, therefore, I dismiss his statement with respect to contractors in general.”

He pointed out that the government’s housing revolution programme lacks transparency and accountability, “and as such, this is exactly what is happening and this is why you find the problem he (Skerrit) said that they are experiencing.”

Baptiste stated also that if there are persons who did what the Prime Minister said, “he needs to call them out.”

He is of the view that there is a need for more monitoring and closer execution of those contracts to ensure that what is happening does not happen again.

“They have to take the blame, they have to take responsibility and not just trying to give the impression that there are a lot of thieves out there,” he stated.

Meantime Le Blanc said the association hopes that the statement is not a veil to paint a bad picture on local contractors as has been done before and used “as a pretext to continue to engage foreign contractors without opportunities being given to local contractors to bid for those work(s)”

“We are very concerned,” he told DNO.

He noted that in the statement, the Prime Minister has admitted that there is something wrong with the government’s method of public procurement and that it cannot be administered properly in order to get good results.

He also said there is a law which allows the public service to do procurements.

“Let the public service do their work within the law and his work will be much easier,” he noted. “The Prime Minister has a law in front of him as minister of Finance to administer public procurement, it’s not being done, it’s not being done well.”

Le Blanc added, “He has admitted it; he needs to fix (it).”

 

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43 Comments

  1. NUWP
    August 29, 2017

    Hmmm his politics deepens. Hope u enjoy the millions u all getting in contract under the same labour CBI money u DAt Issac condem and u dat Tony never publicly support.

    Birds of a feather.

    Eating like cat and wipe mouth and stay silent about the food u all enjoying

    Sacway mayshastay zor yay

    But we will still help all u.

    Cus out duty is to help the lest fortunate

  2. OneMile
    August 29, 2017

    Baptiste, you had 5 days to to review the doctor’s comments and that’s the best you could do?

  3. RasB
    August 28, 2017

    Disappointed!!! where are these men heads? Obviously there are some unscrupulous local contractors, so if the Prime Minister makes mention of it, why can’t the organisation as a body seek to pull up its members? Why do they see a need to play politics with a true statement from the PM? Lord help us!!

    • Papa Dom
      August 30, 2017

      Do you know who those contractors skerritt speaks of are? The method of awarding these is in itself a problem, rather than giving contracts out to individuals, big contracts should have been awarded to bona fide contractors in geographic locations

  4. Let The Truth Be Told
    August 28, 2017

    You should have chastised those who perform inefficiently; not purchasing new items when they were paid to do so. They were not paid to get used and throw-a-way items and install them, pretending that they are new. I have stated, shame on them or whoever.
    They want contracts, will go to the extremity of broadcasting it and lodging a court case or wanting to do so and they give shoddy work. This is also lack of respect.
    Dominica is small and people as such get away with too much.
    You must know this. They could not get away with that in Canada. They would be sued and for some millions of dollars by the government and the person or people who were given inferior material. If they are not imprisoned or asked to re-pay the money, they will also never be given a government contract.
    Be honest!

    • Read Carefully
      August 30, 2017

      Have you Heard of Holmes…. A Canadian Contractor who has found so much fraud in construction in Canada that he has made a fortune and a TV show just on fixing the shoddy work that contractors do in Canada.

      I think we should stick to the topic here, and i think Baptiste is right. If there are irregularities in the contracting phase, then you open up the system to shoddy results. And this will range from poor procurement practices and results maybe because people do not think or know there will be consequences because they know somebody or know somebody who know somebody

  5. UDOHREADYET
    August 28, 2017

    Thats funny actually the Prime minister is the one who can speak on such matters because he is the one giving you contracts for jobs you donkey! instead of biting the hand that feed you… be professional stop taking constructive criticism personal and improve on your workmanship. the Prime minister is saying that because it is the opinion of the general public. Dominicans do subpar low quality work and they think its great… they do not seek to master their craft or be the best at tit they just want to little work and get paid… yet expect that to last. its pure laziness the mind and body! Educate yourself as best you can about your skillset! there are many people who have to do construction and carpentry jobs on their own because of the unprofessionalism and cost and quality of work being offered. it’s not competitive on a regional level!

    • Papa Dom
      August 30, 2017

      When skerritt gave money to a machanic to provide toilets what did he expect? It is time this guy stop this foolishness and try to do things correctly rather than making unwarranted generalisation in his efforts to further divide the nation.

  6. Chandra
    August 28, 2017

    It’s your supporters getting contracts
    So i don’t get your point….

  7. August 28, 2017

    The prime minister is totally correct in his observation, after the Erika devastation, a contractor in Victoria (Delices) area ,was given the opportunity to rebuild a small stretch of devastated roadway, to my disbelief, a couple weeks later the shady work done by the contractor was there for all to see. Cheating the gov’t one would say, but in reality, it is the people paying the price for the mass rip off.Bob D.

    • viewsexpressed
      August 29, 2017

      The Prime mi9ninster is a big joke, this is fact because everytime he comes out with these jokes of poor governance , it make me laugh how a Pm could make himself into a political clown.

  8. theLateBath
    August 28, 2017

    I agree with the PM. that is basic business. you hire someone to build something. they give you their quote. It never have enough materials according to them so u have to buy more. then when the job done, is nonsense you seeing. Like you still have to pay another money to fix it how you ask for it in the first place. the other day i gave a guy 200 as a down payment to do a job. to this day i am yet to get my job done. that was 5 years ago. Needless to say i will NEVER engage this man to do work for me again. We hire people to build roads. they make no sidewalk for pedestrians who also use the road. No guttering to help preserve the longevity it the road. No allowances for lighting nothing except a road. We should not haveto be like a slave master. Be honest. Have integrity. Is not “so it is”. It is how you make it.

  9. JACK
    August 28, 2017

    Mr Leblanc you need to examine your self.

  10. Justin James
    August 28, 2017

    What does Baptiste and LeBlanc mean by saying that the prime minister is on no way to speak bout contractors. He is the Fiance Minister and therefore would be knowledgeable of all monies paid to contractors
    Why should builders receive contracts ,would have purchased new materials, new Toilet sets and other items, and in turn clean out the old ones, and install them and keep the new ones for themselves.
    Those are things that the Prime
    Minister knows that’s happened that is why he is in the position to make these comments.

    • viewsexpressed
      August 29, 2017

      Because of the PM`s ignoramus behaviour in government. he is a failed PM and the worse PM Dominica has seen. Tell this PM to go to Hell, go to hell, none of our Damn business

  11. man must live
    August 28, 2017

    My true concern is WHY WAS THAT STATEMENT MADE AT GRAND FOND? That’s why we need to no what really triggered the sickness or illness of the palrep.

  12. August 28, 2017

    The PM is right, that is the point. Baptiste and LeBlanc just wanted to talk. Smh.

    • viewsexpressed
      August 29, 2017

      That PM has exposed his rotten governance and ability to run poor country. He is good an creating poverty and by passing the intelligent ones in Dominica. This Pm is a big Joke and he must Go.

  13. August 28, 2017

    It is a fact that quite a few contractors cheat. They do it to the government, they do it to the ordinary man trying to build his house. These two men are creating excuses and missing the point. What they should be doing is scolding the contractors who do so and call them out. This attack on the PM for speaking the truth is ridiculous.

    • viewsexpressed
      August 29, 2017

      LOL…LOL…LOL…”Pm speaking the Truth…?” lol….man where have you been. That government under this so call PM lied of the Bins Bobol, the Fertiliser Bobol, the selling of passports, the sale of passports, the revenue of passports sales and you asking who is giving excuses when the Bobol is flat open in your face. If you do not believe me, Go ask Skerrit, bet you he will tell you it is the Pm of Dominica who is the biggest joke and fraud.

  14. Helas!
    August 28, 2017

    Everbody know who getting your contracts !!!!!!!!!!, why are yu generalising now????

  15. positive
    August 28, 2017

    all what skerit do or say we against it; bec we are not on his side, thats normal, they crucified jesus bec they were aganist him although he was perfect; but with all the criticized we are criticizing one day something worst than ericka will pass and will have no help lets prey and work with who ever is in power

  16. Engineer
    August 28, 2017

    Isaac, I disagree with you. If some contractors are contracted by the government to do a job and they are dishonest, the prime minister can talk about it . Someone don’t actually have to be well versed in a field to talk about dishonesty if it’s obvious. For example, I have no knowledge of carpentry. But if I’m paying a carpenter to build a house and I noticed dishonesty, I have all the rights talk about it. I agree with Anthony. That the statement made by the prime minister will not be used as a pretext for not signing future contracts to all local contractors. Sometimes in life we think that just because we are well versed in a field and other are not, we are the only ones who are entitled to talk about such. It flat out arrogant.

  17. Ibo France
    August 28, 2017

    There are some local contractors who are definitely unscrupulous. But the problem with the PM’s pronouncement, is that, it casts a damning indictment on all local contractors. Just as there are dishonest local contractors, there are many honest and upstanding ones also. Because of Mr. Skerrit’s inarticulateness, the integrity of the local contractors is now shrouded in controversy. This problem can be easily overcome. Put competent assessors in place to evaluate the quality of the work being done during and after completion of government project. Government might spend a little more money in doing this but it might save millions of dollars long term.

    PS: Is the word “passing” not a vulgar slang? From when has it become acceptable?

  18. Illuminator
    August 28, 2017

    The inefficient project supervisor and project manager who sign off on the Final payments to the Contractor are the real people the PM should be pissed off at, in addition to the contractor. Such routine contract management issues should not be reaching the PM, far less requiring a public statement from him.

  19. Emile Dominique
    August 28, 2017

    These comments do not deny that there are problems and concerns of dishonesty in the construction industry. I agree with the PM. This has been going on for quite awhile. I do not know of any contractors who are honest. There is more corruption in this sector than any where else.
    Those concerned should addressed this. Anyone who is affected should report it to the police. It will only stop when those involved do jail time. The PM should be congratulated for raising awereness of a serious problem.
    The question…… what is he going to do about it. We need legislation to criminalize this exploitation, otherwise it will never stop.

  20. Hendricks ismael
    August 28, 2017

    I am in agreement with the prime minister and I am in agreement with the contractors the system has to be monitored and fixed. I am not in agreement with most of our money going to strangers that have no interest in our people’s development . We must train people to do a proper job, ethics must be on top of our list. As a people we cannot keep saying there is no one to do $100.000 job. Some countries don’t have the people with experience to do every job , but what they do the local contractors controls the contracts and find outside experience people to do what ever is needed so the bulk of the money stays home . We as a people must stop working against each other , we must get smart if we don’t we will be beggars indefinitely . All contractors should get together with the finance minister and talk. I don’t think that he wants to enrich other people and not his own. He have tried so many times but the people fails to deliver . I agree this problem have to be solved now.

  21. kingman
    August 28, 2017

    but what is wrong with these men!!! if the PM is not happy/satisfied with what he calls unscrupulous contractors what is wrong with that.
    Why is Tony not calling on his members, affiliates or associates to be fair and honest and use best practices when carrying out their trade.

    • August 28, 2017

      Exactly! You could not have said this any better!

    • UDOHREADYET
      August 28, 2017

      thats everybody opinion its not the prime minister, he is saying it but its everybody opinion man!

    • Let The Truth Be Told
      August 28, 2017

      I agree with you. They are always placing the blame on the PM instead of informing the contractors that they are expected to be honest and to perform the work efficiently in the expected time. It appears their job is to criticize. They are very good at that.

    • My View
      August 28, 2017

      If the PM was following the Procurement law, this situation would not be occurring. No Law…No Constitution. Stop burying your head in the sand like an ostrich.

    • jihan
      August 29, 2017

      Skerrit will not call them out,he is ashamed the contractors are his hard supporters ripping the government of big time,Mr.BAPTISTE IS RIGHT.THIS ENTIRE SYSTEM IS TOTALLY CORRUPT.

    • AA
      August 29, 2017

      You do know that only DLP party hacks get government contracts right? So if skerritt have an issue with works undertaken then this is because he have compromised the process of issuing contracts with no tendering and no supervisions because them members of parliament and other dlp persons are getting their cut

  22. %
    August 28, 2017

    Well no one knows what Skerrit meant,because he has DECLARED WAR on the english language.His utterances as PM, leaves a lot to be desired.Does he even knows the meaning of “piss off”? Why cant he listen to HONOURABLE LLL,Leader Lennox Linton when he speaks?He could glen much from the patriot.This guy is OUTSTANDINGLY BRILLIANT!!!This problem with the contractors will not stop,because our VILLAGE COUNCILS are compromised and broken.Just look at who are the conractors.They are all RED…As to whether he meant all contractors??I cant understand Skerrit’s english.Did he deal with alleged racketeering at the Labour Commission?If not,why not? This man is a bowl of unadulterated confusion!!
    SKERRIT MUST GO
    SKRRRIT MUST GO
    SKRRRIT MUST GO NOW!

    • August 28, 2017

      Go where to be the next P.M?

    • Jax. GB.
      August 28, 2017

      OK, I really do understand where your coming from, but please check yourself before hitting the post button. Piss Off means something completely different to Pissed Off in the English language. I think you may have meant Glean instead of Glen which are place’s in Scotland. And cant should read either can’t or can not. Just saying.

    • Me
      August 28, 2017

      Poor you %, the name Skerrit brings your pressure up.

    • indira Ghandi
      August 28, 2017

      Did he say they are dishonest??????!
      Well,the saying goes——-LIKE FATHER,LIKE SON.
      Thats the example they have before them

  23. megso
    August 28, 2017

    maybe the PM was complaining about His DLP contractors…

    • Emile Dominique
      August 28, 2017

      They too. These are really fake supporters who are out only to see what they can get, a set of gready exploiters.

  24. ??
    August 28, 2017

    Gentlemen, get a grip of yourselves. The hones contractors will be rewarded with more work and the bad ones will not be utilized. It’s that simple so who the cap fits let them wear it…

    • Emile Dominique
      August 28, 2017

      There should be a reporting system so that they can black listed. A hungry man can go to jail for stealing a loaf of bread, a paro can be burnt with hot water for begging, but those guys can get away with stealing thousands of dollars from the government and the people and face no charges. Its like “how to get away with murder”
      This is so SHAMEFUL and UNFAIR. I say its time to “LOCK THEM UP”

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