People’s Party of Dominica expresses concerns over West Bridge contract

The old West Bridge will demolished and reconstructed
The old West Bridge will be demolished and reconstructed

We, the People’s Party of Dominica, stand in solidarity with the Joint Consultative Committee on the Construction Sector (JCCCS) in condemnation of the methods and processes used to award NSG Management and Technical Services, the West Roseau Bridge construction project. We are so concerned about this flouting of the Public Procurement and Contract Administration Act, that we felt it necessary to have written to the Prime Minister, requesting further clarity in his decision and dealings.

The Honourable Skerrit’s decision not to have directly responded to a letter by JCCCS, letter dated the 26th of April 2016, is haughty and demise-ridden. This attitude discourages the process of dialogue between himself and aggrieved parties, when such concerns and grievances impact key economic performing sectors. Indeed, the JCCCS composed of the Dominican Society of Architects, the Builders and Contractors Association of Dominica, and the Dominica Association of Engineers are entities pivotal for the infrastructural development and education of Dominica and its citizens. Thus, the PM’s recent treatment has been injurious to infrastructural progress where local builders and contractors are concerned.

We have identified three glaring violations of the Act. To begin with, nothing was done in accordance with Section 26, Part IV – “General Procurement Requirements and Procurement Planning,” which requires all bidding and procurement processes to follow Act rules, save for exemption status. This award to NSG was not in any way exempt (The “Exempt” clause), and so all decisions had to have followed Act regulations.

The disregard of Section 29, Part IV, amounts to tantamount flagrancy :

29. (1) The procuring entity shall prepare clear and specific requirements relating to the goods, works or services being procured which—

(a) give a correct complete description of what is to
be procured; and
(b) allow for fair and open competition among those who may wish to participate in the procurement proceedings.

As indicated by JCCCS, for their concern of the awarding in secrecy of the contract. The Ministry of Works issued no notice or advertisement of the subject procurement event.

The entire process totally ignored Part V – “Procurement Procedures,” which emphasizes that a procuring entity must procure goods, services or works through open competitive bidding procedure, or any restricted bidding process. No criteria was present to use restricted bidding, because a few local firms are just as qualified as NSG to have been awarded the contract.

We are noting a frightening pattern for contempt of legislative procedures, in regards to the dealings and operations of the Prime Minister. This is not the first time the Public Procurement and Contract Administration Act has been violated. A notable infringement surfaced in 2009, when it was revealed that multiple no bid contracts for some 2700 garbage bins were awarded to the then minister of trade’s brother in the USA.

Of further concern to us, is the derivation of the EC $18,182,400 figure as the cost for the project, and the Prime Minister’s vague statement that 70% of the price for bridge construction will remain in Dominica. JCCCS arrived at a lower amount of some EC $14 million, even including quality material costs and VAT. We are worried about the subject of transparency in that, NSG has no web or media (lack of) presence, and so a complete break down or alluding to of the project was and is not attributed to them.

We are aware of certain practices whereby parent contractors include exorbitant markups for work done by subcontractors, over and above margins for hiring those sub contractors. In other words, the lead contractor would bill his/her client for double or more, for the work to be done by sub contractors.

This is ethically, morally, and in many parts of the world, legally wrong. Without the presentation of clearly defined, pre-audited statements of expenditures and costs, it may be logical to suspect that a high mark up is being placed on the heads of local sub contractors, the victims being the Dominican taxpayer.

At this point although we would like to see a rescindment of the contract, we realize the potential legal ramifications for contract abrogation in that capacity, and so would tread carefully in calling for it, the Dominican tax payer in mind.

We are calling for a higher media and/or web presence of NSG, so that all their projects – past, current, and future are accessible online or by public demand. Financial, biographical, and other company information should be available as well.

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54 Comments

  1. Real Dominican in Dominica
    May 6, 2016

    So far only set of people making sense. I don’t know what all you talking about but them people ready… I tired with Labour nonsense, UWP meme say on joujou…at least they sounding better. I taking my chances on them people boy.

  2. hummm
    May 5, 2016

    Who are these people? All you hearing is people party and there is no face to go along with that. Supose is the devil that has this party humm am just saying ,Before you all start speaking on issuses ,can we have a look at you all

    • Viva Dominica
      May 6, 2016

      Dominicans, if you want different results, how about trying doing things differently. I am going to be looking at their work, what they stand for, their demands…we should be beyond who we like politics as we have seen who we like has not worked for the majority of us. We need people who can build up our country. Not divide us, not give our friends and not the rest but all of us. I here struggling and I know I work hard but too many of our people are suffering. PPOD we hope you are the answer.

    • Praying for our country.
      May 11, 2016

      Supposed its God sending them? Have you seen God or jesus, yet we believe? Why not look at the opposite. What if they are the genuine people. Have some faith!

  3. UDOHREADYET
    May 4, 2016

    This is BS. the man did respond and clearly articulated that 70% of the contract will go to local businesses and that the managing company will ensure that the work gets done in a timely manner. If you want to make the news do something positive rather than constantly riding on the coattails of negativity… haven’t you seen that negativity has made you a lose elections, court cases and contracts.

  4. KID ON THE BLOCK
    May 4, 2016

    Now a days Political PARTY does just drop from the sky! All hungry, hungry, hungry for power. All talking about crime, crime, crime but they are the criminals destroying DOMINICA’S image all over the globe.

  5. May 4, 2016

    If the oponants have some b—- then there will be a call for civil disobedience to stop the PM from making dictatorial decisions.

  6. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
    May 4, 2016

    my people , this is it !! we need to stop to focus on politics. this have nothing to do with politics. this is democracy, rules, regulations , laws and respect.
    there is rules for this and everybody, EVERYBODY must respect and follow the rules, there is NO EXECPTION.
    THIS IS DONE WITH OUR TAXES MY TAXES, AND I DON’T WHAT THE GOVERMENT TO USE MY TAXE TO SUPPORT ANOTHER ISLAND ECONOMY. YOU WILL DO THIS WHENEVER WE WILL BE THE RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE OECS….AND WE ARE FAR FROM THAT.
    I’M REALLY FED UP WITH PEOPLE THAT BELEIVE THEY ARE ABOVE EVERYBODY AND ABOVE EVERYTHING.
    guys come down FROM your BIG SUV, COME AND SEE REAL PEOPLE LIFE IN D/A. LEAVE YOUR MILLION DOLLARS VILLAS AND HAVE RESPECT FOR US. WE PUT YOU WE YOU ARE DON’T FORGET !! WE DID PUT YOUR THERE AND WE CAN ALSO REMOVE YOU FORM THERE. SO DO YOUR JOB AND MAKE OUR LIFE BETTER NOT WORST !!!!!!!!

    • UDOHREADYET
      May 4, 2016

      Dominican contractors would just waste time on that project, never finish it and burn the same tax money you talking about for themselves. This is better option… 30% to the managing company, 70% to local businesses which is what that contract entails.

  7. Real possie
    May 4, 2016

    These people don’t seem to be no other UWP, they are not calling for the contract to be terminated, they calling for them to make things more transparent in the future. They are leaving up to the people to demand better, this is the type of opposition we been asking for. Great job PPOD.

    • Real Dominican in Dominica
      May 6, 2016

      PPOD. I like what you are doing. Stay anonymous self. Too much victimization in this place. We waiting to vote for all you

    • Viva Dominica
      May 6, 2016

      This article was well written. Im giving them points for this.

  8. forreal
    May 4, 2016

    peoples party!!did we crown somebody king!!! : :-|

    • forreal
      May 4, 2016

      I am hoping it’s not sweet Dominicans living abroad!! if you are not in the kitchen faceing the heat,kindly take a seat

    • Think different
      May 11, 2016

      Or Maybe queen? I like what I’m seeing so far. At least they are direct and effective.

  9. Shaka Zulu
    May 4, 2016

    Whatever contract Gov. Signed with NSG should be null and void if any provisions of the procurement act were violated. Tropical storm erika happened in August 2015 we been collecting passport monies way before that. This is no emergency but judt an excuse to break the law and do as he pleases. If there is something to revolt about this is it. Skeritt finds every excuse and hole to skirt the system and deny dominicans a voice.

  10. May 4, 2016

    Wrong is wrong, anyway we turn it or twist it and that contract is wrong

  11. ????????
    May 4, 2016

    Opposers, Opposers, no matter what will always oppose. They have no suggestions just hatred… hating even development. Whatever is done, these people will oppose & oppose & politicise everything & anything. Once Roosevelt Skerrit is in it.. even what he is doing is good. Come on people even the St Jean’s why do you hate so much? What are your contributions? I have not heard you doing anything for your communities or any other communities you have links with. Open your eyes. tonight go on your knees and ask the Great Supremo the ability to be humble and lean not on your own understanding and intellect. He gave it to you for his glory and honour. Love, Love, Love, is the most you can do to be grateful to him. Then you will see with a christ like attitude & love to encourage and not bring down others in your quest to show off your intellects. Remember we are passing through. Will you answer & say to the Great One at the judgement that is Skerro, Skerrit. Be thankful. Love 2…

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      May 4, 2016

      I think you should question your sanity; you are either a fool or you are mentality ill, any wonder your name is a bunch of question marks?

      That is an indication you are neither here nor there!

      What does hatred have to do with people speaking out against the wrong Skerrit continuously perpetrates on the people of the country? There is absolutely no reason why a contract should be awarded to a foreign company providing there are qualified people in Dominica capable of performing the same work.

      Now; I can understand if there are no engineering firms capable of such undertaking; nevertheless, if there are engineering firms believed to be capable, and they are never given the chance to prove themselves, how will we truly know what our people are capable of doing?

      Skerrit’s send peoples to Cuba, China and to all sorts of backward places like Morocco to study civil and contractual engineering, now they return home he has them sitting refusing to test their skills, so what’s…

      • Knowledgebuff
        May 6, 2016

        Truth

    • Just Me
      May 4, 2016

      Hypocrite!!!! I say hypocrite!!!! If the law was not followed then that is it. It’s Skerrit’s government that passed the law – remember??? Make a mistake and break the law; you will see how fast they will deal with you. Sot!!!

  12. Doc. Love
    May 4, 2016

    I cannot understand why these political parties, organizations wasting their time writing letters to Skeritt. Can you imagine twenty men of God wrote this man concerning the situation affecting children, and to date, he hasn’t answered these religious men. The official opposition party, UWP, have sent many letters to the man, reference to problems facing the country, no answer, no dialogue, no press conferences. It appears to be a case of mind your business, if I need your assistance, I will ask for it, until such time, go play with your children. Until, these organizations put boots on the ground, nothing can make this man listen. Until, the FBI with the assistance of Ng Lap Seng, and others take some kind of action against this man, don’t expect him to go anywhere. Don’t expect him to treat you with respect. The man has reached a stage, when he is forgetting who is his employer, who is responsible for paying his salary plus his monthly trips all over the world.

    • Tjebe Fort
      May 4, 2016

      Skerrit have a very effective filing system. It is called poubel. He will flatter you and tell you write him with your request or plan. You will get excited and spend all night drafting your letter and where does it go? Into mr. Skerrit’s poubel filing system.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      May 4, 2016

      “Can you imagine twenty men of God wrote this man concerning the situation affecting children, and to date, he hasn’t answered these religious men. ”

      You say they are men of God, they may claim to be men of God, but are they truly men of god called by God to do his will? You see, it is written:

      “They say unto him, Caesar’s.

      Then said he unto them; render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s.” If the so called preachers to my mind were called by God to preach his words, and do his work, they would be occupied with it and not have time to waste writing to (Dominica’s Caesar) in the person of Roosevelt Skerrit.

      Their ambition is to get recognition by man rather than from God; that seems to be their mission, nobody in Dominica should have to get consent from Skerrit to do anything. If you noticed one of them said recently the Church is more influential in society. There is always conflict between church and State…

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        May 4, 2016

        There is always conflict between church and State. If they focus on thus said the Lord, they would have no need to pray to Skerrit!

  13. Jean Simpson
    May 4, 2016

    Can these people put a face to their name. As a resident Dominican, living and working here and interacting with those who lead or want to lead Dominica, no foreign base, faceless creature can tell me who to trust with the leadership of Dominica. they want t have the best of both worlds. They live their comfortable life in the USA, listen to “right on q” and decide they can lay a claim to leading Dominica or influencing Dominica’s leadership and development path form long distance. They have to be rejected outright. What makes them think they will be better welcomed into the leadership than the “no face, bold face” man we have here? They are insulting our intelligence. They must be forced to come out in the light or just peacefull fade away like many others before them. We will stay with Skerro They will come party at Independence, carnival or Christmas. Rent a car and party hard for three days – spend your money. That is a good way of helping Dominica. OK!!! where is your face?

    • icho
      May 4, 2016

      What does that have to do with the issue at hand? In time they will. Can anyone put a face to your name? Please don’t hate on those people, is like you yourself is doing so much for the country apart from posting on our beloved DNO.

    • Think different
      May 11, 2016

      Their faces are all around us. Open your mind. Of the people, for the people, by the people…People’s Party of Dominica. I am rooting for them 100%. By default they are better than the mess we have in Dominica. Time for some new ideas and people. Don’t know about you but I’m ready to change my circumstances and to most in Dominica…I do good. We have to do something different man.

  14. Mahaut
    May 4, 2016

    You all need to come out of hiding and show your faces

    • BEB
      May 5, 2016

      Is Mahaut a face? you’re still in hiding

    • Think different
      May 11, 2016

      I wish they would hide so we can focus on the issues that have broken us down for over 2 decades…

    • A-A
      May 11, 2016

      Mais Zor toe hypocrite. They come out and elections supremo pressure them people and uwp goons attack them. allu people not easy. Allu pretending like you do know what it’s like in DA! Ppod do allu ting. Yo toe mayshastay.

  15. hmm
    May 4, 2016

    Wonder who’s the members of this party .. Still am welcoming a third party to the political scene because this labour governing party are not there for the people only for there selfish gain … Hope Dominicans will open there eyes next election

    • BEB
      May 5, 2016

      Their selfish gains,not ‘there’

  16. jonathan st jean
    May 4, 2016

    With all this opposition to the way Skerritt wrongly handled this contract for the West bridge and wall works,and since it’s money from sale of passports being used to fund this work,I’m looking forward to seeing sufficient pressure put on Skerritt and the NSG,to such an extent that the wrong process is stopped in it’s tracks.Things must be done right at all times and Skerritt has gotten away with it for too long.This will send a message to this tin pot dictator wannabe that enough is enough. Do the thing for Dominica’s sake

  17. Neverson st jean
    May 4, 2016

    Sorry but your final point is mute. If the govt. Did something illegal the contract should be terminated period

  18. A. George
    May 4, 2016

    But look dem people website wi…. http://www.nsgwestindies.com

    • Clarity
      May 25, 2016

      same people who did wall at airport.

  19. Same old story
    May 4, 2016

    Oh lord, another UWP.

  20. May 4, 2016

    To make a long story short ,the Dominica government have a lot of money to waist while many people in Dominica are not able to have three meal per day.Tax payers are paying high cost to see that this money is thrown throw the bin ,some get richer by stealing sitting on their back sides and some get poorer working hard and can never make ends meet..

  21. cameron
    May 4, 2016

    All of you could jump high and jump low,Face the facts you all gave him supreme leadership and nothing can be done to contain him.Skerrit will become the first leader to never lose and election in Dominica,Our people have become stupid and a bunch of beggers,lazy no pride,AND finally they have lost all hope.

  22. IamanIdiot
    May 4, 2016

    Something that hit me in the shower.

    Why is the Prime minister involved in almost everything.

    A new Bridge? Prime Minister have to get involved.
    A Road? Prime minister have to get involved.
    Want a Scholarshi”t” ? you guessed it…Prime minister have a say.
    Want assistance? Prime minister.

    I know he’s the Minister of Finance (Correct me if i’m wrong)
    But shouldn’t the education minister be the final say in scholarshits?
    and the Ministry of Public works be the one doing the pitch for the bridge?
    And welfare (whatever ministry it’s under) be in charge of giving assistance?

    • WARMA
      May 4, 2016

      shhhhh you thinking rationally. Labourites don’t like that you’re questioning the role of the invisible ministers of government who collecting fat salaries and who should really be talking about the works of their ministry instead of the prime minister, They will interpret that as an attack on their God…careful, be very careful

    • Me
      May 4, 2016

      Scholarshits…? Is this a Freudian slip?

    • event
      May 4, 2016

      Even in the shower you thinking about Skerrit?!

    • BEB
      May 5, 2016

      You ask for correction! Prime Minister is one person, so Prime Minister HAS , not HAVE

  23. May 4, 2016

    Dominica was a better country when their was no Kairie FM, no Q95, no DNO and only two main political parties, no matter what name they went by. When we didn’t have all the above were an action country that would act swiftly, when necessary. Since all of the above became on steam, we are nothing but talking country that doesn’t act. In other words, we were a better country in 1979 than we are today and another new party sure makes us weaker

  24. jungle
    May 4, 2016

    OK, so there appears to be a clear violation of the Procurement Act here…now what?

  25. MOONSHINE
    May 4, 2016

    All Skierro saying is “The goose cook!” They can say what the want to say but my goose cook!

  26. %
    May 4, 2016

    Skerrit will not bother about a party with no members.Phantoms!! STOP HIDING IN THE BUSHES.. Phantoms!I must say though,that your concerns are real.

    • Me
      May 4, 2016

      But what are you saying? With it being based in the U.S.A. this could be a Machiavellian plan by Skerrit to split the opposition to make sure the wins all the seats at the next election. Divide et impera (divide and rule. That has always been his strategy, why not now?

  27. ???
    May 4, 2016

    Steeeuppps!!!!

  28. Whistler
    May 4, 2016

    Again, Dominicans lack the ability to enable change or force new directions…
    They aren’t united thus this regime will do whatever it wants..

    Dominicans need to back up all this media chatter with some form of results..
    The island is lost due lack of depth and mental toughness by it’s citizens

    Listen to them on a daily basis just calling the radio daily, with zero results.
    All their sectors are down…Dominica and Dominicans aren’t known for success stories
    If they were smart minded citizens they would not have the slowest economy and also the Poorest in the eastern caribbean zone…

    It’s thus lack luster,dazed and droll citizens in Dominica….

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