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  • LETTER: Government’s Ineffectiveness in Ensuring Water Supply Despite High Production Levels

LETTER: Government’s Ineffectiveness in Ensuring Water Supply Despite High Production Levels

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By Hella May

In a glaring revelation, the Minister for Public Utilities, MELFORD NICHOLAS, has exposed the disturbing inadequacy of the government’s ability to provide a consistent and reliable water supply in ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, even when the Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) boasts daily water production exceeding 7 million gallons.

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The Minister’s report sheds light on a pressing issue that has plagued citizens and industries for far too long, raising serious concerns about the government’s competence in addressing this basic necessity.

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The most alarming aspect of the Minister’s report is the admission that despite APUA’s claims of high daily water production, the actual supply falls woefully short of meeting the surging demands of the population and critical sectors like tourism.

It is mind-boggling that a country with abundant access to seawater still faces recurring water shortages. The report highlights a concerning lack of foresight and planning in managing a vital resource.

One stark indicator of the government’s failure in water supply management is the increasing trend of hotels taking matters into their own hands by investing in Reverse Osmosis (RO) plants.

It is baffling that a significant portion of the tourism industry, the lifeblood of the nation’s economy, has been forced to independently secure its water supply, with at least one hotel guzzling over 100,000 gallons daily. This revelation demonstrates a severe mismatch between the government’s promises and its actions.

To add insult to injury, the government’s response has been reactive rather than proactive. The announcement of APUA’s acquisition of ultra-filtration equipment, while commendable, is long overdue.

The fact that this technology, which could have enhanced the efficiency of water treatment facilities and prolonged the lifespan of essential equipment, was only recently acquired indicates a lack of strategic planning and investment in critical infrastructure.

Moreover, the replacement of rusting equipment at the Ffryes plant, as mentioned in the report, raises questions about the government’s neglect of infrastructure maintenance. The previous state of disrepair not only jeopardized the quality of water supplied but also posed environmental risks.

While the government acknowledges the severe drought conditions affecting the Caribbean, its response has been inadequate given the scale of the crisis.

The commitment of over $100 million dollars to address this challenge is a step in the right direction but comes across as a belated and insufficient measure, considering the prolonged nature of the issue.

In conclusion, the Minister’s report paints a disheartening picture of the government’s failure to ensure a consistent and reliable water supply, despite ample production capacity.

The country deserves more than just lip service and sporadic investments; it requires a well-thought-out, proactive, and comprehensive approach to water management.

The government’s inability to deliver on this basic need is not only a failure of governance but a betrayal of the trust placed in it by the people of ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA.

Urgent and decisive action is needed to rectify this dire situation and provide the citizens with the essential resource they rightfully deserve.

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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]