Antigua Breaking News

Top Trusted News Source in Antigua

Search
Previous slide
Next slide

  • Home
  • Local News
  • Department of Environment’s Statement on Importation of Egg Tray Machine

Department of Environment’s Statement on Importation of Egg Tray Machine

Share this article:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

The Department of Environment (DOE) is developing new approaches to access financing for and  on behalf of local small businesses, especially those in the informal sector. In order to achieve this, the DOE is exploring opportunities particularly in the waste recycling, farming, and other sectors. The DOE has already begun these initiatives using technologies such as green landscaping equipment, renewable energy, and other technologies not normally found in small island countries. CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP.

In order to improve recycling efforts in Antigua and Barbuda, one of the key technologies that has been procured is an egg tray making machine that the DOE imported to promote the recycling of paper and cardboard. The DOE is currently preparing a strategy paper for approval of the Cabinet which will outline how the machine will be operationalised and managed, which will be done before putting the egg tray machine into operation.  The machine is being stored at the Antigua and Barbuda Waste Recycling Corporation (ABWREC) and will remain out of operation until the strategy has been approved by Cabinet.

Prior to the procurement of this machine, the DOE would have consulted with relevant stakeholders including but not limited to a representative of what was then the only poultry related association on island, the Poultry Association. Subsequent to  this initial consultation, the DOE would have been reliably informed that the Poultry Association has since split into two separate associations. The existence of two separate associations has proven to be a significant road block in the implementation of this project due to the fact that the DOE cannot, in the implementation of its project, facilitate unfair market advantages of one group of  stakeholders over another.

Response to Allegations

On the 5th of June 2022,  the DOE became aware of allegations made via Whatsapp that suggest that the machine is not being used as intended and would instead be handed over to a private sector entity for their operation. The DOE would like to take this opportunity to categorically deny any assertions made in these social media posts. The DOE is in the process of determining the best approach to ensure a fair and equitable outcome for all stakeholders who may benefit from the machine.

The DOE would like to further state that there is no ‘personal interest’ within the Government of Antigua and Barbuda as it relates to the operation of egg tray making machine and any delay is as a result of the relevant due diligence activities that are still being implemented. Moreover the identification and ordering of the machine was a decision of the team at DOE, and not any other organisation, as was incorrectly stated in the WhatsApp recording.

In a response to the allegations circulating on social media, the DOE has sent these recordings to the Office of the Attorney General for the requisite investigations. The DOE takes these allegations very seriously as they can cause reputational damage and affect access to funding for small businesses and entrepreneurs such as farmers.

Be part of the conversation.

Let us know what you think by adding a comment below. Click here to start now!

The DOE is an accredited entity that accesses funding for NGO’s, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. Over the last two years the DOE has provided over US $2 million to NGO’s for climate change resilience, and is aspiring to significantly expand this funding over the coming years to additional beneficiaries. The DOE must therefore seriously address any and all allegations or suggestions that resources are not being used as per contractual obligations to the donors, whether on social media or otherwise as these allegations can cause donors to become reluctant to provide funds if they are of the view that funding is being used improperly or creating friction within local communities. Untrue allegations such as those made in the circulating WhatsApp recording can cause significant harm to the operations of the DOE, and to current and future beneficiaries of funding.

Over the past two years the DOE has worked assiduously and tirelessly to be open and transparent to all of our stakeholders, including the public of Antigua and Barbuda. Until such time as these allegations can be investigated and disproven the DOE will be suspending this particular area of engagement with the local farming community pending a report from the Office of the Attorney General as required by the contractual obligations to the various donor agencies.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP.

Share this article:

Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn

Join the Conversation!

One response to “Department of Environment’s Statement on Importation of Egg Tray Machine”

  1. Just stop it the recording NEVER SPOKE of the DoE the gentleman said he just had a conversation with the Minister and the Minister told him. So stop trying to scare the folks, an persons are still allowed to criticize the government or any government agency?

    Secondly why is the system is here for so long and this matter cannot be resolve?

    Why is Cabinet dragging its feet on this very important issue?

    Are we to believe that this delay is purely logistics and nothing more?

    Was the initiative to source funding for this Machine one of the DoE or the Association?

    Whether the association has split into 2 or still one, if the purpose of the machine is to reduce cost them why not put it into operation and all egg farmers whether one fraction or the other all benefits?

    Please stop? Putting the AG’s office into this conversation it’s uncalled for. Why not meet with all stakeholders and all associations and resolve this before you speak about reputational damage. Especially since from the recording I heard the gentleman said he spoke with the Minister not the DoE.

    Have you asked the Minister what he told the gentleman before you are insinuating mischief on behalf of the gentleman, or that the AG need to look into this to protect your reputation and image?

    Maybe someone should ask the Good Minister what he told the gentleman, what you think?

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]