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  • Late payment of salaries and inadequate funding of Solid Waste lead to hardship for workers and slow clean-up

Late payment of salaries and inadequate funding of Solid Waste lead to hardship for workers and slow clean-up

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As government workers braced for the onslaught of Hurricane Philippe, they were dealt a “double blow” – preparing for the storm while also facing late payment of salaries.

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As of October 3, 2023, public-sector salaries remained unpaid. This caused many families severe financial hardship and mental stress as they struggled to stock up on food and essential supplies, as well as materials to secure their homes.

The United Progressive Party (UPP) condemns Finance Minister Gaston Browne and his administration for the late payment of salaries and poor planning, especially during this very critical period. By failing to make disaster preparedness a priority, the Government demonstrated that it is insensitive to the needs of the people.

“The Government was unprepared, without an adequate disaster-management plan; and by failing to pay workers on time, it limited their ability to prepare for the storm and to function after,” says the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Jamale Pringle.

Further, almost 24 hours after the hurricane watch was lifted, clean-up efforts had not yet begun. Despite the closure of offices and schools, debris remained in many areas throughout St. John’s, clogging many major streets and roadways, and this will cause traffic problems as business activity resumes on Wednesday.

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Pringle also criticizes the Government’s budgetary approach and is asking whether the National Solid Waste Management Authority has received adequate funding and resources to begin the clean-up efforts.

In addition, he contrasts Prime Minister Browne’s quick action in securing the Alfa Nero ahead of the storm with his blatant disregard for the safety and financial commitments of government workers and vulnerable citizens, noting this is strong evidence of where the Administration places its priorities.

“This government continues to demonstrate that it will choose money and pie-in-the-sky ventures over the welfare of the people every time,” Pringle notes.

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One response to “Late payment of salaries and inadequate funding of Solid Waste lead to hardship for workers and slow clean-up”

  1. My poor people are suffering in Antigua. Those in charge have to do better than this, the people put you in power and look at what is happening to them now. Shame on you Gaston Brown.

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]