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  • Acting DPP responds to UPP’s request to investigate statements made by PM Browne

Acting DPP responds to UPP’s request to investigate statements made by PM Browne

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(REAL News) — After a wait of nearly four weeks, Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Shannon Jones-Gittens has replied to the United Progressive Party’s request for an investigation into boasts made by Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

In a letter dated May 24, 2023, but received on Wednesday, May 31, Jones-Gittens blurs the issue by referring to Browne’s declarations – made before a viewing and listening radio audience – as “allegedly made” and “purported statements.”

Jones-Gittens consigns Browne’s statements to the realm of fabrication although the Party’s letter included a transcription of the prime minister’s actual words.

Further, the Party offered to submit to her the audio recording of Browne’s statements, made on April 15, 2023, during the Browne & Browne Show.

“I didn’t transfer people into my constituency, you know.  We transfer (sic) out to help other candidates, or left others who were registered outside of my area; left them in those areas rather than transfer them in, to give others a better chance.”

Those are the words of Prime Minister Browne.

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“Given the seriousness of his statements, we strongly and respectfully urge that your office investigate this matter,” the Party wrote to the Acting DPP, citing the section of the Representation of the People Act that allows her to do so.

Section 82 (1) of the legislation provides that:

“Where information is given to the Director of Public Prosecutions that any corrupt or illegal practice has occurred in reference to any election, it shall be his duty to make such inquiries or cause to be made inquiries therein and institute such prosecutions as the circumstances of the case appear to him to require.”

Nevertheless, Jones-Gittens claims that “without more” than the remarks the Party brough to her attention, she “cannot properly ground a request for a criminal investigation.”

She then invites the Party to submit “any other substantial and credible information to properly found an allegation.”

Earlier requests and appeals for an investigation into Prime Minister Browne’s statements have been similarly snubbed by outgoing Supervisor of Elections Dame Lorna Simon, while the Electoral Commission has virtually ignored the matter.

‘There appears to be a conspiracy – and a dereliction of duty – among the agencies that are to provide the checks and balances in this democracy,” the Party Leadership says, “and the UPP will be taking its cues accordingly.”

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REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

 

OECS MSME Guarantee Facility Project

Loan No.: IDA-62670, IDA-62660, IDA-62640, IBRD-88830, IDA-62650

Assignment Title: Senior Operating Officer (SOO)

Reference No. KN-ECPCGC-207852-CS-INDV

 

The Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have received financing in the amount of US$10 million equivalent from the World Bank towards the cost of establishing a partial credit guarantee scheme, and they intend to apply part of the proceeds to payments for goods, and consulting services to be procured under this project. 

The consultant will serve as the “Senior Operating Officer (SOO)” for the ECPCGC and should possess extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to Micro, small and medium-sized businesses, knowledge of the internal control processes necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk mitigation procedures. The ideal candidate should possess an Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Accounting, Banking or related field, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in lending, inclusive of MSME lending. The initial employment period will be for two years on a contractual basis. Renewal of the contract will be subject to a performance evaluation at the end of the contractual period. The assignment is expected to begin on September 30th, 2021.  The consultant will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the ECPCGC.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be viewed by following the attached link below. 

 

https://bit.ly/3iVannm

 

The Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECPCGC) now invites eligible “Consultants” to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have:

  • An Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Finance, Banking or related field; and
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in MSME lending. Applicants should also have:
  • The ability to design and implement risk management procedures 
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to small and medium-sized businesses
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME banking operations
  • Knowledge of the internal controls necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk management procedures
  • Experience developing and presenting information in public, including responding to questions in real-time
  • Experience lending to MSMEs located in the ECCU
  • Knowledge of marketing and communicating with the MSME sector
  • Ability to draft procedures to be used in a lending operation
  • Familiarity with the mechanics of a loan guarantee program
  • Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, and
  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite.

The attention of interested Individual Consultants is drawn to Section III, Paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers July 2016, [revised November 2017] (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Approved Selection Method for Individual Consultants set out in the clause 7.34 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers. 

 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0800 to 1700 hours:

Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation

Brid Rock, Basseterre,

St. Kitts.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form by e-mail by August 11th, 2021, to [email protected]

 

For further information, please contact:

Carmen Gomez-Trigg                                                            Bernard Thomas

Chief Executive Officer                                                          Chief Financial Officer

Tel: 868-620-8144                                                                  Tel: 869-765-2385

Email: [email protected]                                          [email protected]