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  • Bus operators complain about price hikes in food, fuel, and spare parts while subsidies and fares have remained the same

Bus operators complain about price hikes in food, fuel, and spare parts while subsidies and fares have remained the same

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REAL News: Bus operators are reportedly disgruntled over the cost of fuel and the continued increase in the cost of living.

Although the price of fuel has been reduced at the pump, the bus men say they continue to struggle – even with the subsidy they received in April.

In early September, the $16.57-a-gallon price of gasoline was reduced by $1.03, which means motorists are now paying $15.54 per gallon.

But sources tell REAL News that the value of the gasoline and diesel vouchers the bus drivers received was not increased – not even when the prices went up locally and on the world market.  And although the price of gasoline has been adjusted downwards since then, it has not been reduced for diesel.

Motorists who operate diesel vehicles have been paying $16.79 since July, when the price dropped by 46 cents.

Bus operators say their struggle is harder due to the continued rise in inflation.  Not only do they have families to support, and not only have food prices gone up, but vehicle parts have also seen a price hike, they say.  Accordingly, their operating costs have risen.

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A source says that members of the East Bus Station Association met with Transport Board officials to address their concerns.  Reportedly, they were told there is nothing the Board can do; so operators will have to make out with what they are now receiving.

Board officials reportedly added that the Cabinet would have to be involved in any decision to increase the subsidy, and this could take some time.

However, according to the source, operators at the East Bus Station are prepared to stand up so that the subsidy can be reviewed.

Meanwhile, given that the cost of living continues to rise, an operator says it is unfair that bus drivers are expected to hold the strain when they have not had a fare increase in 15 years.

Under the voucher system, the Government was underwriting a 25% reduction in fuel costs to legitimate bus and taxi operators. Reportedly, bus drivers were promised a weekly maximum of 50 gallons, while 40 gallons were to be allotted to taxi drivers.

Under this system, operators are able to redeem their fuel vouchers at three service stations.

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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]