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Complete Box Culvert with Completed Intake Structure and
Partially completed Wing Walls
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It is also very often said that “an ignorant person is one who doesn’t know what you have just found out." We take comfort in the fact that we are doing our part to eradicate ignorance in Dominica by sharing whatever information we have received on government corruptions and mismanagement.
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| Partially Completed Wing Wall |
With the help of some professionals we were able to receive a rough idea of the cost and the schedule for the said project. By rough estimates, the overall quantity of concrete would be no more than 50 cubic yards. Considering all other items and activities such as reinforcement, formwork, fuel, structural fill, transportation, labor, this project was aggressively estimated in the region of EC $ 115,000 -130,000. We have been reliably informed that the contractor through a no bid contract was coffered the job $360, 0000.
Take note that the contractor has been using NEP workers as
part of his labor force. It means therefore, that part of the contractor’s
labor is paid directly by the government of Dominica and so it is fair to state
that the government is actually paying much more than EC $360,000 for this project.
We were further advice that base on the scope of work this project should have been completed with 7-8 weeks even with the technological limitations and capacity constrains in Dominica. It is now more than 6 months since this project began. Could it be that this particular contractor is engaged in so many government projects and with similar arrangements throughout the island that the contractor cannot deliver the project on a reasonable schedule? Remember time is money and the motorists have to keep traversing the area using the bayside bypass.
A Comparative
Analysis
With the help of people versed in construction we were
able to get a much better idea of what it would cost to construct that road crossing
and drainage system in the Clifton area. We also thought that it would be
prudent to do a comparative cost analysis using available construction cost
data. Thanks to the PM who told the nation in parliament that his luxurious dwelling house in
Viellecase cost “a modest $400,000” We were able used that information to compare
the cost to construct the Clifton project. It became very clear to us that if the PM’s property did cost $400,000 there is no way the Clifton project
could cost $360,000. This perspective should either raise eyebrows or spark an
interesting discussion.
“Corporatocracy” has been the bedrock of the Roosevelt
Skerrit regime but Mr. Skerrit, McIntyre, Austrie, Ambrose et al ,are not our only problem. We have a dysfunctional public sector that has
facilitated the rampant corruption for the past 13 years. Through bogus village
empowerment programs Hundreds of thousands of dollars from the CBI program are now
funneled through party supporters on village councils and there is no
accountability from the Public servants who have a legal and moral
responsibility to protect the interest of citizens of Dominica.
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| Pipe Crossing Culvert- A Trap for debris |
It is no
wonder the government continues to deliver substandard service and in many
cases failed projects. Recently Minister Robert Tonge took precious time to
criticize and deride the contractors and
craftsmen in Dominica. What Minister Robert Tong should accept is that when the
government chooses procurement methods that are corrupt and divisive then the
people get ripped off and receive substandard services. In one of the attached
photos take note of the exposed water supply line as it crosses the box culvert.
With a proper planning and effective procurement this water line could have
been relocated. As it stands the water line serves as a trap for debris,
especially during a storm.
We can also confirm that the contractor has
submitted an invoice for work completed in the amount of EC$250,000.The invoice
was submitted without any details – no schedule of values and no way to verify
the quantities and insure a proper audit. As usual, it is expected that someone will call from above to order
payment. We know of one instance where the brother of the $1.5 Million CBI guy
hijacked a projects with no sign contracts and then when the council refuse to pay him, the council received an order from the Ministry of Finance – “Just Pay The Man” We are also aware of another contract that was issued to the Public Works Corporation (PWC) and the same contractor hijacked that project even after The PWC provided him with a stop work order. At the end of it all PWC was paid and they were then ordered to pay the hijacking contractor.
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| Excavation Phase showing water line |
When the government
continues to engage in such corrupt methods of procurement, the country’s economy
and the people continue to suffer. We are convinced that devoid
of nepotism and corruption, the government would have saved over $200,000 on the Clifton project. With 13 years of a misguided
procurement system in government, it is safe to say that several millions of
dollars have been syphoned from the treasury.
According
to the 60 Minutes reporter “Caribbean people have a history of paying a blind
eye to corruption.“ In Dominica we can keep pretending that corruption is ok
,depending on who the perpetrators are but the adverse impact of corruption is
already upon us -a stagnated economy, the overnight wealth accumulation by public
officials and cronies, lice and “poo pool” infested hospitals, poor healthcare,
little to no foreign investments, deterring local investments, alienated section
of the population, human rights violation and abject poverty and mendicancy. “None as deaf as those who will not hear. None as blind as those that will not see”.
Nah this rough estimate for concrete was too rough aka inflated. This volume of concrete is much less my guy it is more around say 17cy. Worse case if all wing walls lengths are 10ft and a height of 5ft which does not look like 5ft base on the picture will be around 20-25cy concrete. Please have the person double check and note shrinkage factor was added in both cases.
ReplyDeleteSMH this a project that Chris Walter is doing. Boy look bobol.
ReplyDeleteSMH this a project that Chris Walter is doing. Boy look bobol.
ReplyDeleteHold them chaukee.We are reading but not commenting i wonder y.
ReplyDeleteYou may be right about the 17 cyds however we assume that there will be some road pavement restoration. We also wanted to be overly aggressive. No need to factor in shrinkage factor - these engineering details are unnecessary.
ReplyDelete