The Joint Consultative Committee on the Construction Sector (JCCCS), a local construction fraternity, has said that although it has no issues with the government improving the Public Procurement and Contract Administration Act No.11 of 2012, there are some concerns.
Among the concerns are that the government is not revealing the problems it has with the Act and the lack of dialogue with the private sector on its repeal.
The government has revealed plans to repeal and replace the Act by the end of the year based on a review by consultant Patrice F. Pratt in 2015.
In reaction, Chairman of JCCCS, Anthony Le Blanc told Dominica News Online that the fraternity has no problems in having the Act improved, but some concerns were raised.
“The government is not disclosing what issue it has with the Act, what the consultant has with the Act and it has not been giving us any time for consultation or dialogue given that the Act is going to be implemented with a lot of private sector involvement,” he stated.
He believes the involvement of the private sector is crucial and consultation is important.
“After all the private sector that’s going to be selling anything to the government whether its services, goods or works,” he remarked. “Our concerns are that we would love to see consultation started even before the Act was in its final draft, but lo and behold the government position is that ‘after we have completed the draft we will consult with you…’”
Le Blanc is also of the opinion that the repealing of the Act will not have any effect on the existing issues raised by the JCCCS concerning the West Bridge Project.
“We were aware of the new Act before; that’s one of the information that was passed on to the legal team and the advice from us is that will be taken into account going forward…,” he explained. “The new Act should not put things in a worst position.”
He explained that there was an existing Act in place when the project for the West Bridge was procured and therefore it has to be dealt with.
The JCCCS had raised concerns over the manner in which the project was given to a Barbados-based company and had given Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, until 4:00 pm on Wednesday, May 25 to respond or face legal action. However, the government asked for more time, which was granted by the JCCCS. The JCCCS had raised questions over the procurement of the project in line with the Public Procurement and Contract Administration Act and the fact that there are local companies capable of doing the job.
The Central Procurement Unit said it been holding consultations with the public sector on the proposals for the new Act.The Unit met with public sector bodies as follows:
• Permanent Secretaries—April 07, 2016
• Statutory bodies—May 04, 2016
• Public officers—May 05, 2016
• Village Councils—May 23, 2016
The Public Procurement and Contract Administration Act was passed in the House of Assembly in August 2012. The Procurement Unit within the Ministry of Finance was operationalized in March 2014.
Messy at best
The issue at hand is that the Prime Minister of Dominica violated the Public Procurement and Contract Administration Act No: 11 of 2012 by not allowing other Contractors to tender . He continues to flaunt the law as he wishes and that non-sense must stop and must stop now . The country has laws and he must respect and abide by them . No need for persons to show off their political colors in this matter , let’s me honest with ourselves and deal with the issue before us pleaseeeeee.
I heard Tony Astaphan on their radio station commenting on the action taken by the JCCCS as being politically motivated and he not the government wrote asking for information and further details on their concerns because he is not a careless and stupid lawyer. Well what arrogance and more insults level at the JCCCS in a very clandestine way but in the same arrogant tone and manner of expression similar to the way the PM uses so no surprises there. But what struck me is that he and not the gov’t chief legal adviser, the AG, is the one writing and speaking on the matter as is the case on many other national issues of concern. It therefore tells me that the PM has more trust and comfort in Tony rather than the AG. Further I am convinced the Tonton and PM views Dominica as their playground and back yard garden where they can play games and plant and reap mischief as they want. That will have to stop sooner rather than later if Dominica is to progress.
I smell a dictator !!!!
Its a good idea to have dialogue but one should not demand dialogue. If you have an important contribution then offer it as a means of obtaining dialogue with the party of which you wish to establish communication.
The atmosphere in Dominica seems to be attack, blame, accuse, yell, slander then expect the other person to respond positively to you.
As adults its surprising that so many people young and old have very little control over their emotions. There is a definite need to educate this upcoming generation on emotional intelligence and self awareness through books, classes and workshops.
There are people actively causing chaos in their lives everyday yet don’t have the awareness to see where its coming from.
It still baffles me to see how Dominicans are sitting on their hands doing nothing, while a mad man keeps taking their country down by the minute. I simple cannot understand it. Their biggest actions are posting things on DNO which does not blow away one speck of dust off skeritt\’s shoulder. My only conclusion is that, they would have done the same blasted thing had they been in power. Baroness knew what she meant by her famous, \”SUCK SALT.\” The people of Dominica are very happy sucking it.
Le Blanc, maybe you and your entire team need to learn how to present proper bids and stop inflating your cost…I am challenging you guys to get some help…. I will even come back home and help you guys structure a more realistic bidding process…if you guys need help just ask….I am a daily reader of Dno…even though the sometimes piss me off with some of the comments the editor allows… just reach out and I may just come.
Tony you should be ashamed of youself this is pure hatred and jealousy
The P.M. Is implementing his red clinic in the soufrire folks take the pittance and vote foe UWP Higgs Adams
Tony you are a very smart guy and knows very well that government can follow protocol when it comes to biding on contracts does not guarantee the lowest or highest bid will get the contract. Government will give contracts to whoever it favors. which is so very wrong, but that is the dog on dog world out there. Todays companies promote who they like even if someone else is more qualify. Those of us who live in the US and other countries around the world knows for a fact you kiss a you are reward. On the other hand you challenge government on contracts you don’t get contract. You challenge any company you are employed under they will fire you. Good luck Tony Boy.
Did I hear that the contract for the bridge was signed in October 2014 before the present Procurement Act came into force in 2015? What is the time line? Can something that was legal be made illegal after the coming into force of a particular legislation? Can a piece of legislation come into force and backdated to make a particular action or inaction illegal? DNO kindly make the necessary investigation and inform your readers accordingly. So far we have not heard from informed and learned opinions. Most of the comments are coming from partisan zealots interested only in portraying our country as a failed state. The Dominican public needs informed opinions on matters as such.
Honestly if you don’t like the way country is being governed you might as well just leave like the 100,000 plus Dominicans who have done so over the years. This is DLP’s country after all
Is that the kind of ignorance that continues to permeate our country ?
Show me the ‘Will’ in which Dominica was left to Labour
. . . And UWP wants to take it over as their country.
and we are lucky to know in advance that the government intends to change the Public Procurement and Contract Administration Act
The Constitution od Dominica clearly tells Skeritt he has to consult with the leader of the Opposition on certain matters of state and on several occasions he has refused to honor that obligation. What makes Leblanc believes, he or the people of Dominica will be treated any differently. The man stands solidly behind his cry that no law, no constitution can prevent him from doing whatever he wants. Case in point, the change of the members elected to seat on the IPO. The refusal to reduce the members of the cabinet. At the eve of the by-election in the Soufrierre Constituency a sum of over half a million was given the Constituency, when many Villages in Dominica are still suffering from the ravages of storm Erika. The JCCCS must be very careful with Skeritt, he will not rest until they are defeated. Court case, now Procurement Act, get ready, the fight has began.
The Opposition, true to the word always opposes what is put forth. They are never appreciative and never satisfied. They will always oppose, why and for what? The leader is extremely difficult to deal with.
Knowing they are not the government, surely, there is a time that the Opposition would discuss amicably and concur? Not so with this Opposition. They are bad for the country, unity and peace. They have much to learn about communicating and getting along.
The way Dominicans allowing Skerrit to change everything to suit him and his agenda is of serious concern to me. One day we, our children, our grandchildren will be left with a serious price to pay. I am not saying they should not make changes and adjustments where necessary, but there is a proper, democratic,, godly way to do things. You cannot just go and change laws to suit you because Dominica is much bigger than you and one day you will live like Chavez, and Dominica will remain just like Venezuela still remains while Chavez is gone but his mess remains.
I am particularly concerned because the church is siding him, the police on his team,, and Dominica is left with a court but without justice. Dominicans, especially church leaders, you nothing and in some cases you help Skerrit do his dirty work; but I can assure you the time will come when he will turn it on you. The day will come when he will force u Adventist to worship on a Sunday and Sunday worshippers be given Monday
“Among the concerns are that the government is not revealing the problems it has with the act…” This is another sad example of a government holding itself to a different standard of “due diligence”. But even some of their usual supporters smell a rat with this one. A big, big, rat!
Whatever new act passed has nothing to to with violation of the rules that currently exist. Carry on JCCCS.
This is the perfect example of how a dictatorship works. Whenever he is opposed, he wants to change the laws to accommodate his selfish desires. If the procurement act repealed, his majority in parliament will replace it with something more desirable to him.
He explained that there was an existing Act in place when the project for the West Bridge was procured and therefore it has to be dealt with.
FULLY AGREE!!!!!!!!!!
this new contract will hold contrantors accountable. the people of coulibistre had to demonstrate to get the tarish spread on the road, some thing that was in the contract.
Dominica has changed, i never thought i would see the day when a Dominican has to fight the Government of Dominica to get work in his own country. Skerrit boy u have some serious problems.
You are a bonafide idiot… spewing nonsense without credence.
That is the way the Doctor operates. Under normal circumstances he does not consult at all, apart with his ‘advisers’. On rare occasions when he is forced to consult he does so when the issue has been decided already. Democracy a la Dominique!
By the way, when was the last sitting of parliament or does that exist on paper nowadays??
Doctor Kaie Poul. He knows well an honorary accolade on someone is just a gesture of appreciation and understanding and he must not use the title. The title is silent just like the Jamaican ‘h’ is silent.
Skerrit will be made to pay for all his evil deeds. Just watch he thinks he is above the law but he is not above God. All wickedness will perish the bible says. So lets see how long the brother will carry on
Have you ever seen such RAPID CONCLUSIONS of consultation. Over this act which was only on the statue book in 2014?
This GOVERNMENT is totally without morals or competence.A one man army who is DROWNING in his own lies.
“but lo and behold the government position is that ‘after we have completed the draft we will consult with you…’”- This was the same that happened with the Caribbean Court of Appeal. Complete draft then consult. When people criticize this approach i heard top officials say that they have consulted. It is important to educate the masses. Most people who went to these so called consultations were not educated to the pro and cons of the CCJ. I would have preferred CCJ as long as it was impartial but i always had an issue with the speed it was implemented. Hastily before elections. I guess that’s how things are done and the poor ignorant masses don’t have a clue what is happening around them. Sad
All in all Dominicans have brought this upon themselves, will always say if Dominicans were a forceful,smart and highly patriotic dominica would be a better place..
dominicans are generally small minded citizens. i don’t see a change..it’s a waste of time, thus no one will really invest and make profits in dominica..
they just not in it period…..
Speak for yourself White Plains Rd. Maybe you know your mind is small
You state “Dominicans?” You are placing them all in one basket. Are you not aware that people are not one and the same and therefore you should not generalize?
Not all Dominicans disagree with the PM. Not all are small minded and negative. Those who consistently oppose and criticize are the ones causing the problems in Dominica. These have depicted they are not interested in unity and peace.
You most certainly are the odd one out. I’ve told you so on numerous occasions. Up till now you’ve failed to list anything positive this regime has contributed to the country’s development. 16 years later and you still remain silent.