Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Prime Minister Skerrit calls for report on garbage bin scandal
By Jason Richards
Three days after the garbage bin scandal broke in Roseau Dominica, an embattled prime minister took to the airwaves to announce that he had instructed his Auditor General to compile a report because “there are questions to be raised and questions to be answered.”
Admittedly, the less than confident declaration left many to wonder exactly what strategy the prime minister was employing to deal with a widening scandal that appears to certainly threaten his administration.
Indeed, the payments to Andre Dopwell of close to US $300 000 for 2 700 baggage bins came directly from the prime minister’s office. The speed with which the payment was effected strengthens the belief that it had to have had the blessing of the prime minister who is also the minister of finance.
The invoice was received in the prime minister’s office on May 1, 2008. On May 9, 2008, the National Bank was wiring funds into the account of Andre Dopwell. Where was the system of checks and balances? Is there a system to safeguard the country’s meager resources?
The government bureaucracy is not known to work that efficiently so it is clear that the bureaucracy was bypassed. If the prime minister really does not know what transpired, then this should raise even more troubling questions.
The whole question of procurement of goods and services in government must be looked at. The people of Dominica will await the ‘report’ of the Auditor General. One hopes that this public servant has the courage to speak truth to power.
The fact that this level of transfers can be made without the goods been received or by a lone civil servant is troubling to say the least. Why has the Accountant General not drawn attention to this in the past? How many more of these transactions are yet to be discovered? Why is a bogus company doing business with the Dominica government? Will the police conduct a criminal investigation?
In the spirit of transparency, an independent auditor who is not beholden to the prime minister for his monthly salary should be given the task of giving a fair and balanced report to the Dominican people.
When a call was made to a taxi cab company occupying the address given on the invoice, the woman who answered the phone vehemently denied that there was anyone name Andre Dopwell at this address. She continued to maintain this position even after I pointed out to her that an internet listing showed Andre Dopwell as the owner of the company.
The report must be extended to find out just who is Andre Dopwell. Why is he operating under a fictitious company name? Why is he receiving hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars? What is his relationship to the minister of Trade Dr Colin McIntyre? Is he a half brother of the minister? If so, then why are family members of government receiving no bid contracts to supply goods and then overcharging government?
In a situation where hundreds of thousands of tax payer dollars have been frittered away, the Dominican people expect and demand no less.
Three days after the garbage bin scandal broke in Roseau Dominica, an embattled prime minister took to the airwaves to announce that he had instructed his Auditor General to compile a report because “there are questions to be raised and questions to be answered.”
 Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit. |
Admittedly, the less than confident declaration left many to wonder exactly what strategy the prime minister was employing to deal with a widening scandal that appears to certainly threaten his administration.
Indeed, the payments to Andre Dopwell of close to US $300 000 for 2 700 baggage bins came directly from the prime minister’s office. The speed with which the payment was effected strengthens the belief that it had to have had the blessing of the prime minister who is also the minister of finance.
The invoice was received in the prime minister’s office on May 1, 2008. On May 9, 2008, the National Bank was wiring funds into the account of Andre Dopwell. Where was the system of checks and balances? Is there a system to safeguard the country’s meager resources?
The government bureaucracy is not known to work that efficiently so it is clear that the bureaucracy was bypassed. If the prime minister really does not know what transpired, then this should raise even more troubling questions.
The whole question of procurement of goods and services in government must be looked at. The people of Dominica will await the ‘report’ of the Auditor General. One hopes that this public servant has the courage to speak truth to power.
The fact that this level of transfers can be made without the goods been received or by a lone civil servant is troubling to say the least. Why has the Accountant General not drawn attention to this in the past? How many more of these transactions are yet to be discovered? Why is a bogus company doing business with the Dominica government? Will the police conduct a criminal investigation?
In the spirit of transparency, an independent auditor who is not beholden to the prime minister for his monthly salary should be given the task of giving a fair and balanced report to the Dominican people.
When a call was made to a taxi cab company occupying the address given on the invoice, the woman who answered the phone vehemently denied that there was anyone name Andre Dopwell at this address. She continued to maintain this position even after I pointed out to her that an internet listing showed Andre Dopwell as the owner of the company.
The report must be extended to find out just who is Andre Dopwell. Why is he operating under a fictitious company name? Why is he receiving hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars? What is his relationship to the minister of Trade Dr Colin McIntyre? Is he a half brother of the minister? If so, then why are family members of government receiving no bid contracts to supply goods and then overcharging government?
In a situation where hundreds of thousands of tax payer dollars have been frittered away, the Dominican people expect and demand no less.
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// posted by TheDominican.net @ 5:21 PM
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The PM needs to resign not call for Report. He authorized the cash so he knows what's going on. That is just delaying tactics, trying to prevent the inevitable.
# posted by 
: May 27, 2009 5:41 PM
: May 27, 2009 5:41 PM
Skeritt is really playing Dominicans for the fool! people come on please THINK! what results will we can from Skeritt's goons investigating him? THINK!!! Well I know they are going to give the usual verdict.. A legitimate mistake. How many mistakes will too much, or enough? Think about it if any of you had done something fundamentally wrong and said it will a mistake would you not suffer the consequences for you wrong doing? You sure would, so why is Skeritt getting away with all that with the "It is a legitimate mistake defence? Maybe now he could change his plea to insanity..
# posted by : May 27, 2009 7:06 PM
: May 27, 2009 7:06 PM
The answer to all of this is very simple indeed, you do not need fancy auditors you do not need reports, all Mr skerrit has to do is to release the details of the bank account to where the money was destined IE: the mysterious Dopwell, the bank will have a paper trail of what happened to that missing 500 thousand plus dollars, how it was re-sent from that account, diverted, call it what you will, but more importantly it will disclose where the money ended up and who has it now, The Dominican Police department would be I feel be certain and more than happy to oblige in assisting Mr skerrit to clear his name or is that a bit too near the knuckle, on another note the joke going arround Chinese circles at the moment is the new teritory they are purchasing they call it Chindom Province, they will be our masters soon thanks to Skerrit
# posted by : May 27, 2009 8:02 PM
: May 27, 2009 8:02 PM
Skerrit has lost all the moral authority to continue as PM. It is so sad that we find ourselves in that situation. The only person benefiting is his lawyer Astaphan--business could not be better for his law firm- of course the legal bills arepaid for by Dominica's treasury-or if you may by Chavez's $$$$ he gave Skerrit on behalf of our country.
I am angry and I feel very sorry and sad for the Dominican people and our country.
Now the joker is even trying to fool Rasta – saying that they will be able to enter Addis Ababa without a visa…..that is so stupid---are there any direct flights from Da to Addis? The guy is such a ‘dwarf’ and morally bankrupt and we know so corrupt. Where is Dominica’s development plan? ----I know it is in 'Caracas'-----
Yes better ‘Red’ than Dead’—more like better ‘Dead ‘than’ Red’.
I am angry and I feel very sorry and sad for the Dominican people and our country.
Now the joker is even trying to fool Rasta – saying that they will be able to enter Addis Ababa without a visa…..that is so stupid---are there any direct flights from Da to Addis? The guy is such a ‘dwarf’ and morally bankrupt and we know so corrupt. Where is Dominica’s development plan? ----I know it is in 'Caracas'-----
Yes better ‘Red’ than Dead’—more like better ‘Dead ‘than’ Red’.
# posted by : May 28, 2009 5:28 AM
: May 28, 2009 5:28 AM
HOW CAN FELIX GREGOIRE, CABINET SECRETARY AND PROPOSED DLP CANDIDATE FOR SOUFRIERE CONSTITUENCY (SEE THE SUN NEWSPAPER OF A FEW WEEKS AGO), AND CLARENCE CHRISTIAN, DIRECTOR OF AUDIT AND MEMBER OF EXECUTIVE OF THE DOMINICA (FAKE) LABOUR PARTY -WHO ONLY RECENTLY APPROVED OF THE RED CLINIC- HOW CAN THESE TWO GENTLE MEN(?????) BE TRUSTED TO REPORT TRUTHFULLY ON ANY MATTER REGARDING INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR BY PM SKERRIT? FURTHER, WHY DID PM SKERRIT NOT ANSWER THE QUESTIONS RAISED IN THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY BY TWO OPPOSITION MEMBERS ABOUT THE DOPWELL/LOGISTICAL SUPPLIES BIN BOBOL? IF HE WAS CLEAN OR HONEST HE WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY FACING THAT MESS. THEN HE TELLS US THE WHAT HAPPENED AT DBS WAS ONLY "AN INDESCRETION"! THE PM HAS ABSOLUTELY NO MORAL AUTHORITY TO LEAD MY COUNTRY!
# posted by : May 28, 2009 7:16 AM
: May 28, 2009 7:16 AM
HAve Dominicans all drank Red Cool-aid? Why are people not on the streets demanding this corrupt and egotistical bunch of boyz resign. Remember May 29, 2009....Now is the time to show the true Dominican spirit.
# posted by : May 28, 2009 11:52 AM
: May 28, 2009 11:52 AM
Well, for sure this one here is certainly not on RED KOOL AID.....I will certainly have some genuine Dominican GREEN herbal Tea....it has been tested....tried.....and non corrupted. Please have a cup with me.We may have to go back to the streets, let our thoughts be heard. We need good government
# posted by : May 28, 2009 12:33 PM
: May 28, 2009 12:33 PM
The AG is in no position to investigate. He has already failed to put a stop to Skerrit spending government money in his red clinics. Where is the accountability. No wonder a minister can make BOBOL with millions without the AG knowing anything.
Dominicans must demand that the Police take on the investigation just like the FBI is investigating Mr Andre (McIntyre) Dopwell for his part in the US.
Dominicans must demand that the Police take on the investigation just like the FBI is investigating Mr Andre (McIntyre) Dopwell for his part in the US.
# posted by : May 28, 2009 11:46 PM
: May 28, 2009 11:46 PM
PM SKERRIT PRETENDS THAT SOMEONE ELSE COMMITTED A CRIME IN SOME OTHER MINISTRY. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE PRIME MINISTER SKERRIT WAS THE ONE WHO TOOK THE MATTER TO PARLIAMENT. HE GOT THE MONEY. HE RESFUSED TO ANSWER THE LEGITIMATE QUESTIONS OF THE OPPOSITION IN PARLIAMENT. ALL THIS TOOK PLACE OVER A YEAR AGO... HE HAD SUFFICIENT TIME TO THINK AND REPORT IF HE WERE AS INNOCENT AS HE PRETENDS TO BE. PM SKERRIT, THE HONORABLE, PAID THE MONEY HIMSELF INTO WHATEVER ACCOUNT HE WANTED IT TO GO.. ONLY AN EXTERNAL INVESTIGATION WILL TRUTHFULLY ANSWER THE QUESTIONS! THE POLICE MUST NOW DO THEIR WORK...
# posted by : May 29, 2009 7:19 AM
: May 29, 2009 7:19 AM
DISCLAIMER: ON MAY 28TH 2009 JACINTA BANNIS WAS AT DOMLEC GIVING A TRAINING FOR DOMLEC STAFF ON SUBSTANCE ABUSE. SHE IS IN NO WAY AFFILIATED WITH OR REPRESENTED BY THE PERSON WHO POSTED COMMENT ON 05/28/2009 AT 11:52AM UNDER THE NAME JACINTHA BANNIS.
SO ALL PERSONS WHO ARE WONDERING IF THIS PERSON IS JACINTA BANNIS DIRECTOR OF THE DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION UNIT, SHE IS NOT
SO BEWARE: THE PERSON POSTING COMMENT MAY NOT ALWAYS BE WHO YOU THINK THEY ARE!!!!!!
SO ALL PERSONS WHO ARE WONDERING IF THIS PERSON IS JACINTA BANNIS DIRECTOR OF THE DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION UNIT, SHE IS NOT
SO BEWARE: THE PERSON POSTING COMMENT MAY NOT ALWAYS BE WHO YOU THINK THEY ARE!!!!!!
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