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Churches march against legalization of same sex unions in Barbados

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Members of 49 churches across the island came out in strong force this morning to show that they are standing up against the legalization of same sex unions in Barbados.

More than 200 people marched through Holetown, St James, with placards in hand, sending a clear message to the Government that the church is not in agreement with making same sex unions legal.

Behind a music truck and the guidance and control of members of the Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF), the peaceful protest started at Trents Playing Field, to Sandy Crest, and back to the playing field where a mini rally was held.

Executive Director of the Family-Faith-Freedom, the Registered Charity, which organized the march – the first of several – Dr Veronica Evelyn, said the gathering consisted of worshippers and leaders from different denominations, who came together to protest Government’s announcement of its decision to recognize same sex civil unions.

“As you know, it’s COVID time and we have to be careful so we are limited in numbers, we could not go over 250, so we are very happy with the turn out,” Dr Evelyn said.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the registered charity, pastor Paul Leacock, said the series of marches would clearly demonstrate the church’s disagreement and request for Government to reconsider and rescind its decisions to institutionalize same sex unions in Barbados, according to last month’s Throne Speech read by Governor General Dame Sandra Mason.

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Leacock said the church is clear that such a decision to include those kinds of policies, which are in dis-harmony with the country’s laws and out of sync with the constitution, morals and standards of the nation, will have a detrimental effect on the country.

Leacock stressed that Government must consider studies conducted in other parts of the world, which show that similar policies were implemented and led to significant sociological dislocation and problems.

He said young people who are experiencing changes in life, are particularly affected and are confused by sociological dislocation.

“We could see from those persons and those denominations, in Canada, England, Europe, United States, we have seen massive confusion and all kinds of psychological issues, high rates of suicide, high rates of various dysfunction in families and we know that Barbados cannot sustain such decisions. It is not appropriate for Barbados,” Leacock said.

“It does not matter who has spoken, it does not matter who has said, it does not matter who has criticized Barbados. We have to stand on our own; we have to be able to do what is right. Just because it is legal does not make it right and therefore we have to be sure. Lying is wrong but we haven’t institutionalized that. There are a lot of things that are wrong, but we don’t institutionalize what is wrong.

“Therefore, we want to say that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach. Therefore the various churches from all across Barbados are demonstrating that they are not in favour. The same people that have elected Government are saying to the Government who are the servants of people, and the servants of good and the servants of God, rescind your orders, turn around and do not bring this evil upon the country,” he added.

The marches have been scheduled to take place in different zones across the country, every Saturday, until sometime in November. Next week’s march will be held in St George.

Barbados TODAY

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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]