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  • Sacking of 2 State Insurance managers prompts calls for firing of under-performing government ministers too

Sacking of 2 State Insurance managers prompts calls for firing of under-performing government ministers too

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(REAL News) — There has been widespread public reaction to the news that two senior managers at the State Insurance Corporation have been terminated.

The firings come just days after Prime Minister Gaston Browne made a public announcement that his administration would be sending home four public servants accused of not performing.

Shortly after the news broke on Monday night, November 13, insiders confirmed the termination of accountant Andre Knight and Life manager Janice Hodge.

Media reports are suggesting that the two were dismissed because of the Administration’s lack of confidence in the accuracy of their accounting statements.

This most recent incident comes on the heels of Esworth Martin’s “early dismissal” from his position as General Manager at the Antigua and Barbuda Public Utilities Authority (APUA).

Another top official from a statutory corporation, the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority (ABAA), tendered her resignation on Monday, November 13. Euletta Francis called it quits after attacks on her reputation and character by PM Browne, on his affiliated radio station, last weekend.

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Meanwhile, a well-known Antigua Labour Party supporter is praising the actions of the Government, claiming that members of staff are under pressure because certain statutory corporation heads have built little kingdoms and rule with an iron fist.

He is of the opinion that the entire public-service system should be shifted around.

Many persons have agreed – sarcastically – saying that if this is the way the prime minister is going, then he should consider removing the non-performing ministers in his administration, as well.

One critic says many of them need to be given their walking papers, including Minister of Works Maria Browne – for the country’s poor road infrastructure; Minister of Health Sir Molwyn Joseph – for the poor administration of healthcare; Minister of Labour and National Security Sir Steadroy “Cutie” Benjamin – for the increase in criminal activity and poor work conditions; and Minister responsible for APUA Melford Nicholas – for the continued water crisis.

Some persons add that Prime Minister Browne, himself, should be fired for the state of the country’s economy, with inflation resulting in the current high cost of living.

Weighing in, others say that the retirees who are still employed with the Government, including spokesman Lionel “Max” Hurst, should be sent packing and make room for younger people.

Meanwhile, some people are suggesting that the Port Authority and the Customs and Excise Division should be next for cleansing.

But well-known online commentator Audley Phillip wonders if the actions taken represent a “cleansing or a purge.”

Phillip notes that the Labour Party was “born out of the bowels of workers and the labour union … and such firings go against the spirit of their own movement.”

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Аdvеrtіѕе wіth thе most visited news site in Antigua and Barbuda ~ Wе оffеr fullу сuѕtоmіzаblе аnd flехіblе dіgіtаl mаrkеtіng расkаgеѕ. Yоur соntеnt іѕ dеlіvеrеd іnѕtаntlу tо thоuѕаndѕ оf uѕеrѕ іn Antigua аnd аbrоаd via our One Signal push notifications! Соntасt uѕ аt [email protected].

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Make a donation to help support ABN, via PayPal: [email protected]. Follow Antigua Breaking News on X, formerly Twitter @ABNAntigua, and Instgram @AntiguaBreakingNews and on Facebook. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-268-779-3189 or email us at [email protected].

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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]