Secretary to the cabinet, Steve Ferrol, has been thrust into the spotlight in light of the employment of Charles Jong by the government of Dominica.
At a press conference last week leader of the United Workers Party (UWP), Lennox Linton, said he is putting Ferrol on notice that he will be held personally liable for the money being paid to Jong.
Jong is on a one year contract with the government for $96,000 and according to Linton, senior counsel Tony Astaphan has said he was being held as a retainer “to engage in IT warfare against the the citizens of the Commonwealth of Dominica.”
“We will not stand for it because this is exactly the kind of governance, that corrupt governance, that we are committed to eradicating from the landscape of Dominica,” Linton stated.
Linton reiterated his position on privately-owned Q95 on Monday morning saying that the UWP has no problem with Jong doing political work for the Dominica Labour Party.
“But we have a serious problem with Charlie Jong being paid by the tax payers of this country, the public treasury, to do the private political campaign work of the Dominica Labour Party,” he said.
But the matter has not gone well with prime minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, who said Linton’s utterances has made him won “the prize of being worst than Edison James and more dangerous than Edison James.”
“He didn’t call a press conference to speak about any policies he would like to implement,” Skerrit said on the Next Level Program on the weekend. “He called a press conference to attack the secretary of the cabinet and as prime minister, I take big offense to this and I condemn it to the fullest extent.”
The prime minister said Linton is not even in parliament and yet he is threatening the most senior public officer in the country.
“And you hear in his voice the anger, arrogance and the destructive character of Lennox Linton when he was referring to the secretary of the cabinet…” the prime minister said.
He asked if Linton can threaten Ferrol, what about “all of these people who are below the secretary of the cabinet?”
On Q95 Linton stated that in recent times more evidence has surfaced of the kind of work Jong is involved in.
“In recent day Mr. Jong set up a fake internet site under the name lennoxlinton.net,” he said. “I know nothing about it, yet it uses my name. It impersonates me, he uses my picture from our website to say all sorts of things about me … I am broke, I need to to this, I need to do that..all sorts of things…”
Jong’s contract with the government states that he is “to coordinate the activities leading to the implementation of an Information Management System of which the Consultant has represented that he has the requisite professional skills and competencies and the technical resources to render efficiently the services required on the terms set out in this Agreement.”
“The Government agrees to pay the Consultant the total contract price of Eastern Caribbean dollars $96,000.00 payable in twelve (12) monthly payments in arrears at the rate of $8,000,” the contract reads.
The contract was signed by Ferrol on behalf of the government and Jong.
In March leader of the opposition, Hector John, wrote to Ferrol asking for the immediate cancellation of the contract.
Yall dominicans dont realized that skerritt has sold yall country to the chinese..
Welcome to the web, Mr. Linton. If a web site attacks you, that’s not impersonation, even if it is set up under your name. Web savvy individuals constantly set up sites using other individuals or business names. There is a rush to grab domain names if there’s a potential advantage. These sites are later sold to the individual or business for a handsome fee. That’s why a distinction is made between official sites and other sites bearing the name or close resemblance to the individual or business name.
On the unregulated world wide web, lennoxlinton.net is legal and fair game. Do not hold Steve personally responsible for doing his job as a public servant because you are personally affected by Jong’s work. Is it a personal vendetta? If you become PM you will use your powers to personally hold a senior public servant responsible for signing a contract with an individual who personally attacked you? We may have reservations about the hiring of Mr. Jong but you know full well that it’s beyond Steve. Is the person signing the Roseau River Promenade on behalf of the government personally responsible?
Dominicans, imagine what you are paying for. $96,000.00 from your hard-earned tax money, being paid to Jong, the foreigner, working for Skerritt’s DLP.
Jong has designed, posted on internet extremely, outrageous lies, about a Dominican Patriot. Worse, he uses the name of the patriot as the tag. By all means necessary, Those paid foreigners are displaying their real modes of operation to protect, defend Massa, once the price is right. To hell with Dominicans fighting for FREE and FAIR elections, for good governance and against corruption.
Imagine what the State is really paying for. Shame Skerritt. Shame DLP. Shame Jong. Have a heart, nuh?
All he has done that patriot is to reveal has exercised his and expose corruption in Govt.
Skerrit plz call the elections ASAP so all these delusional UWP on DNO can face reality that UWP will never get back in power. EVER!!!!
I wish he takes your advice and call the election. Both you and he will run away to hide. Call it! The B.S that went on in certain constituencies will not be repeated.
The blogger ‘Just Blaze’ does not appear to be real. I am wondering if this is the work of the so called media tech consultant. It certainly seems so. I have been following his/or or it postings and I came to this conclusion last week.
DNO can you verify that Just Blaze is not real.
My thoughts exactly!!!!
Are you kidding! With all what we are learning about the UWP candidates. I vote for no election call until the very last minute it is constitutionally due and again, it is so good to keep the opposition guessing.
Whenever the PM is ready, Dominicans will vote him back with even a bigger margin. Why take the UWP out of their misery. Let them continue the way they are. They are doing us a great favour by allowing us to get to know them better.
2015 elections. But again I am not the PM that call is reserved only for him.
Tony Astaphan has done great damage to the Labour party,that’s why am longer a member of the Labour party many orther supporter meet me personally and me they can no longer support the party because of Tony Astaphan he lies a lot.
When is Jong’s contract up? Is that partly why the PM seeks to delay elections as long as possible? What does this guy Jong have on them, or better yet, what could he be acquiring in order to maintain his grip? Something is not right here. Skerritt may be power drunk, but those around him are crafty and devious. When the UWP takes the reigns next year, a library of investigations should be opened up into the deeds of the current DLP executives. Jong’s contract should be retroactively nullified on the basis of illegalities, and funds re-imbursed to the people’s treasury.
Dont know what planet you living on. But here on earth its very obvious that UWP cannot win the next elections.
Just blaze, IF UWP does not win the next elections, then you’d better think of finding another country to live…simmering youth discontentment, lowest minimum wage in Caribbean, lowest manufacturing base/output in Caribbean, increasingly corrupted ruling elite, an experiment with the monetary system, and the list goes on…
why don’t you just catch yourself ablaze!!
Keep saying that Just Blaize, and you’ll eventually believe it.
Just wait and see and you will be on the list for investigating all who stole from the country have to pay because pay back is a bitch
The elections are not due until 2015. It is not the PM and his government fault that the UWP has been in campaign mode for such a long time that even their supporters are tired.
Talk your party leaders and supporters not the PM and the government who has been busy working on the business that is important to all Dominicans.
Shucks man skerrit….stop trying to be the victim at all time and face up to your responsibilities as Prime Minister and Minister of Finance for a change. You are accountable for all the use and misuse of the public purse….
Please answer the following questions…..
IS CHARLES JUNG WORKING FOR THE STATE OR FOR THE LABOUR PARTY?
IF THE ANSWER IS FOR THE STATE…WHAT IS HIS JOB DESCRIPTION AND HOW HAS HIS PERFORMANCE SO FAR CONTRIBUTED POSITIVELY TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY?
IF HE IS WORKING FOR THE LABOUR PARTY WHY IS HE PAID BY THE STATE?
SOMEBODY HAS TO ANSWER THAT!!!!!
Not your damn business!
It is my damn business because I am a tax payer!!!!
Fast n furious u r an idiot..its every dominican business. ..
Skerrit keep on milking Dominica to chinese,we have qualified persons in dominica to do this job,this same jong is laughing @ you.Lennox is a man of the soil juat like you,he has a right to look for the good of the country.your a desperate man on the war path right now.my brother you wont be in power forever,take a ggod look @ yourself and see how Tony make you look like an idiot.Tony runs dominica not you grow up.
Hear who talking about attack people, papamet! awa skerro come better than that. there no savage attacker like you and Reggie. the thing is lint on has based his assertion on the law of the country.. why did you contradict what he said? and he calls press conference, you don’t because you fraid to answer question.. we have studied you from 2004, you have failed us with your lies, deception (even your own Peter Wickam said it) and corruption ..
don’t go grabbing at straws sir, its time to go
But DNO, why haven’t you write about that HOT issue everyone is hearing about? The issue about Lennox Lnton stealing people’s speech,come on radio and platform,and make it looks like he wrote it ,
Something like that is cause for concern.
If this accusation was mentioned about the PM,this would have been Breaking News on DNO;is it that YOU are just too bias?
Fast and furious Linton never took someone speech and read it as his. Skerrit cannot even write a speech for himself . He has to be asking a Barbadian( not even a Dominican) to write a speech. Isn’t that call for concern? He cannot think for himself?
But DNO, why haven’t you write about that HOT issue everyone is hearing about? The issue about Lennox Lnton stealing people’s speech,come on radio and platform,and make it looks like he wrote it.
Fast N Furious are you serious for someone to be paid $96,000 out of the public pursefor doing the party work and you are happy with this or consider this to be less important to Lennox Linton stealing a speech come my friend forget party and look at important issues.
what is call for concern is the $4.05 per hour people living on! that is what that is called for concern!
“He Come and he make it look Like…”? ,, Didnt you hear the person who all you said he stole it from said he wrote it… ? And that they have co-authored many speeches before? Really?
All the stealing that went on and is still going on was never more of a concern to you.
SOMETHING LIKE THESE THAT IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN!!
2.6 Million dollars in kick backs to Skerrit
500 Thousand Garbage bin Money?
Really?
But you worry about a man that use his own words in a speech?
Take out the red in all you eyes.. and deal wid truth…
OMG!
Are you telling me that the leader of the UWP has been has been working in another country too; no that cannot be true. He has only been working in Dominica for Dominicans.
If not, what then is the purpose of this blog.
That is none of your damn business…GO TO HELL with your corrupt leader!!!!
“You hear in his voice the anger, arrogance and destructive character,” these were the words of Skeritt referring to a statement made by Mr. Lennox Linton. ” No law, no constitution, go to hell, go to hell, we will mash them up, Madame Speaker, Dominica is to free, yes Madame Speaker, Dominica is to free,” these are the messages Skeritt had for Dominicans. I believe Skeritt is a fairly educated feller, if he doesn’t know the meaning of anger, arrogance, and destructive, it is important he makes frequent trips to St. Joseph in order to attend Blessings school.
Even if Linton had anger in his voice he has the right to be so . You cannot tell me the Government of Dominica is taking tax payers money to give to that man for doing LABOUR PARTY WORK.
You beat up chest in an attempt to slaughter Dr Pascal who is not a member of Parliament…..during a Budget presentation….. you need to cool it…..I am not a fool.
As leader of the country… an 18 to 3 parliament I find you to hysterical……you no longer sound confident in a 21 seat victory at the polls.
Its clear to a lot of us out here that you scared!!!!!!!!
Your party been in power long enough to show a report card pattern of achievements….. how far the development has brought us…..and where we aw poised to reach as a result.
How far has E O Leblanc highway taken us
…you ever notice all de bush….some of de signs and concrete guards hidden under grass…de bust at Belfast….road defects since the Chinese handed over the project…
what about de cargo boat for the farmers….how far have we got in agriculture…..every year you making the same promise….. when is the delivery man coming
You and your government has failed us terribly skerrit and instead of doing something to make up for your shortcomings you trying to prevent others from making a contribution to leadership……
You doh want nobody to see your faults, blunders and outright inadequacies then come back and out stage you…. put you in the dark
Dominica will be well off when the next leader undo your faults make us proud of our leadership
Whoe to us in this country when in a time of MORAL CRISIS WE MANTAIN our persistence silence. LORD HAVE MERCY ON US.
I agree with lennox cause all employment contracts are signed with the chief establishment officer so if is with cab sec charles sign then is cab sec personal contract
DNO (Mouthpiece organ of the UWP). When are you going to publish the story on the plagiarism charges against Lennox??? The people are waiting. Please prove that you can at least display a semblace of impatiality. (And hope that you allow this to be published since most of the comments seemingly favorable to the gov. hardly makes it here).
what plagiarism? tell your pm to write a speech for himself ner?All events he has to attend he begging someone to write a speech for him like a little boy. He cannot even debate. He is a coward!!!!!
now back to the article…. I am sure a public servant can do what Mr. Jong is being paid to do.
Didn’t Jong committ a serious criminal Act? Was he really representing GIS? Let me explain.
Remember Charlie Jong was present at a sitting of Parliament recently? In his possession was his video camera recording whatever re. the business of the House of Assembly.
Somebody of the Opposition questioned the presence of Jong. Speaker claimed that he is representing GIS. But as soon as the opposition raised the alarm, Jong took his camera and fled the House.
Shouldn’t Jong be arrested? Why did Jong take off, when other GIS staff remained?
Who invited Jong to the Parliament? To do what?
Was Jong representing GIS? Did the Speaker tell us the truth?
Two local Dominican journalists are not so fortunate to be in the House.
How many Dominicans even raised an eyebrow over such blatant disregard for protocol?
How many Dominicans worry about whether is their tax money paying Jong for doing what? Jong will get his $96,000.00, no sweat, while sections of Dominicans climb the stairs of the Financial Centre, hand out-stretched, on knees, pleading for hand-outs from Massa.
Any local Dominican, who did what Jong did, appearing in Parliament with Video camera, recording proceedings, but escaping when noticed by the Opposition, would be arrested, and brought before the courts, even jailed.
Under that Regime, those foreigners like Jong, Hartley et al, have more RIGHTS, more Power than us.
Before that Election, Dominicans, expect Kokomakak. Already, the Election process has been compromised, highjacked, The “Independent” Electoral Commission has lost its Independence.
Political Operatives have ensured the Commission cannot bite and operate in the best interest of Free and Fair elections. Jong has his well-defined role to play for Skerritt and DLP, but everybody has to pay for it,. Yes $96,000.00. Whose fools are we. How Long? Not Long 1111
straight talk,John Paul likes this ,You are bang on and firing on all cylinders with the turbo going! hats off to you!
My oh My!
I would suggest that people wishing to enter the arena of Government take some time off to inform themselves of what they have power to do and not to do! Many have learned to their peril that to do otherwise is foolhardy!
Secondly, I don’t think that it is intelligent or judicious to threaten public officers be they senior or junior because the success or failure of a political administration depends heavily on the implementation arm of the machinery of government. Guess who comprises that?
Moreso, let us understand that the public service is the permanent fixture. Politicians are the ones in transition every five years or less and in some cases some don’t even get to enter much more to transition! That is why public officers are required to and should function professionally whichever government is in office.
It cannot be rocket science, therefore, to recognise that no matter what the circumstances, to publicly threaten a senior public officer is to set oneself off to a bad start even before one is assured of starting, given the vagaries of the electoral process.
Just my little two cents!
Anyway, was that the biggest story last week/weekend?
Was that the biggest story last week/weekend? Why do we want to determine what the public should and shouldn’t know? I heard a very big story circulating over the weekend but no mention of it in some quarters.
Yep. It is worth two cents alright. You said it.
These days everybody is operating like a Political appointee,even Police are in campaign mode.Inspectors are calling even the opposition station and challenging the host.Drivers of judges are parking the vehicle and threatening supporters of the opposition.This administration has blurred the lines everything is red
I want Lennox to tell me how Ferrol becomes personally RESPONSIBLE???
Then after he threatens the man he expects the man and his family to vote for uwp?
ThaT’s not politics that’s PERSONAL!!!!
he signed a contract that the CPO should sign.
Zag are you saying Mr. Ferrol as Cabinet Secretary do not know PROTOCOL??
Mr. Jong is on contract with the government, this is beyond the CPO.
Now he signed in his capacity as Cabinet Secretary which is part of his responsibilities, how does he become PERSONALLY LIABLE?? I have issues with a politician attacking public servants who is only doing their job!!!!
Mr Linton i have a speech that nobody knows about for sale, are you interested? If your answer is yes just dial 1-800-steal speech and i will send you the payment plan and web site address. Forget Mr JONG for now we will allow you to hack accounts without any interference.
Didnt you hear the person who all you said he stole it from said he (lennox) wrote it… ? And that they have co-authored many speeches before? Really?
All the stealing that went on and is still going on was never more of a concern to you.
SOMETHING LIKE THESE THAT IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN!!
2.6 Million dollars in kick backs to Skerrit
500 Thousand Garbage bin Money?
Really?
But you worry about a man that use his own words in a speech?
Take out the red in all you eyes.. and deal wid truth…
OMG!
I did not hear him sat that Lennox wrote or co-wrote it.
DNO, news is always about bringing down the goverment! its the same over and over again, just when will dno say something good about whats happening in dominica!
nothing good is happening…so what’s your point?
Time will Tell,
Did you all notice that Skerrit said nothing about Charlie Jong and the monies being paid to him? He didn’t call Lennox a liar. Instead, Skerrit focussed on Lennox’s comments about the Cab Sec. The PM is all about BS and trying to mislead the nation. He has done this repeatedly. Skerrit is not fit to lead any party and definitely not Dominica.
Skerrit describing linton’s based on how he sounded……………..; “And you hear in his voice the anger, arrogance and the destructive character……”
papamet BUT Skerro, how did you sound when you told Dominicans to go to hell? how did you sound when you said Dominican are too free Madame Speaker?….how did you sound when you lashed out at Dr Pascal and even threaten him by saying “IP dont want me to talk about Ip”?????
How did you sound then? What did you sound like? What does it say about your character?
ANYONE WANTS TO HELP HIM OUT IN ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS????? SOMEBODY, ANYBODY???
This is the work of a dictator. He did not accept or deny the statement, but attacked the messenger.
What wastage of state resources.
I would love to know if thaa’s all DNO can do when it comes to news?
all you people don’t like to hear the truth eh!
Skerrit need to stop hiding under the senior counsel’ skirt. He sounds like a disoriented man having no defense for his wrong doings but rather attack those who dare speak the truth. I reiterate LLL call out of Mr. Ferrol reminding him like many others that the abuse of the state’s pursue will lead to prosecutions. Let the chips fall where they may.
Skerrit can shout, bay gay yay, cry or complain but that will not save those suspected of wrong doing on his behalf. Those involved in the “alleged” ongoing bobol at Petro-Caribe better take note for there is a trail of paperwork to be evaluated because they lead to a lot of questions. This means Change Is A Must.
Assertive, NOT Agressive!
a government which cannot grow the economy because their only focus is to give hand outs to win an election
It has become very obvious that the DLP has conceded victory to the UWP. This is not the same DLP that ran the 2009 campaign and things like this website (lennoxlinton.net) will do more harm than good for the DLP.
Mama look trouble in this place.
You mean to tell me that in this day and age that there are no locals who can do this job ?
Please leave my Uncle alone. .He has alwas stand for Honesty and he has it more than the people watching him. No matter what you try u can’t bring a good man down
I was expecting the PM to say those allegations about Charlie Jongs expertise are not true but instead he is deflecting the attention, therein confirming that the allegations are indeed true.
By the way, of what benefit to the tax payers of Dominica is Charlie Jongs job? How does his 98,000 bring benefit to the lives of Dominicans?