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Majority of MPs do not support Dr. Timothy Harris as Prime Minister

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By Devonne Cornelius

St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris is seemingly not giving in to the demands of his Team Unity Coalition partners.

Neither Prime Minister Harris, nor Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Shawn Richards or Premier Hon. Mark Brantley have revealed what those demands are.

Prime Minister Harris in an address to the nation on Thursday (Apr. 21) at 3:15 p.m., stopped short of addressing the status of his coalition despite his colleagues indicating that they have written to Governor-General Sir Tapley Seaton expressing their lack of support for him to continue as the nation’s Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Harris in his address on state media asked that the nation recognise the official period of mourning for the late His Excellency Vance W. Amory.

“It would be good and decent to honour his memory with serenity and solemnity in an environment void of agitation and divisive conduct. You are all aware that certain misgivings are in the public domain with respect to the issues raised by the Team Unity partners.

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I wish to assure you as your Prime Minister that the country remains stable and every effort will be made to maintain the peace and tranquility of our beloved Federation. I have taken steps as Prime Minister to answer the several issues raised by my partners in the Team Unity Coalition. I have responded to those issues in writing. I intend to respect the period of mourning. I call on all political actors and parties to exercise restraint and demonstrate good judgment and respect during this period,” Prime Minister Harris said.

Premier Brantley, prior to Prime Minister Harris’ address on Thursday, said the majority of Members of Parliament have written to the Governor-General indicating that they do not support Dr. Timothy Harris as Prime Minister. Premier Brantley is of the view that the Governor-General can resolve this current political stalemate without forcing the people of St. Kitts and Nevis into a snap General Election.

“We have activated other measures and I am advised that communication has been sent to the Governor-General indicating the position that we currently hold that Dr. Timothy Harris does not command the support of a majority of elected members in the National Assembly. It is a matter for the GG to act. We believe based on legal advice that we have taken that he does in fact have the authority and therefore we have invited him to do so.

I am not persuaded that we are going into an election. I say that because I believe that the Governor-General has the necessary power as head of state to resolve this situation without there being the need for an election. It is our view and we have taken legal advice on this matter that the GG has a continuing duty to ensure that the representative who is Prime Minister has the continuing support of a majority of elected members and that in our view is consistent with how our democracy should function,” Premier Brantley said.

Section 52 subsection (6) of the Constitution of St. Kitts and Nevis states “The Governor-General shall remove the Prime Minister from office if a resolution of no confidence in the Government is passed by the National Assembly and the Prime Minister does not within three days either resign from his or her office or advise the Governor-General to dissolve Parliament.”

However, PAM and CCM appear to be leaning towards Section 52 subsection (2) which states “Whenever the Governor-General has occasion to appoint a Prime Minister he or she shall appoint a Representative who appears to him or her likely to command the support of the majority of the Representatives.”

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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]