Government
Tenders Published for Credit Union, South Caicos Port, K-9 Unit and Public Sector Pay Raise
By Dana Malcolm
Staff Writer
#TurkandCaicos, March 24, 2023 – Contracts are now up for grabs as some long-awaited projects are poised to get started with funding allotted, and projects in need of companies to execute them; they include, the investigation into another pay increase for public servants, the new credit union, and development in South Caicos.
A suite of tender documents was officially published earlier this year for upgrades including the South Caicos Port Dredging Project.
The South Caicos Channel has not been properly maintained since it was initially constructed. The project aims to restore navigability to the port and increase the vessel, and barge sizes (tonnage capacity) with access to the port
The TCIG says this is to reduce the costs of imports as the fully loaded barges reduce costs of goods and materials to residents, local businesses, and existing and future commercial development interests at South Caicos.
The Office of the Deputy Governor has also opened a tender to reassess payment for all public servants.
A consultant is being sought to do a grading review for the entire sector of which the Deputy Governor is in charge. The Government introduced a pay increase of 10 percent for public servants last year. However, most of that was not cash in hand as it went to a new retirement fund.
The tender follows the increase of the minimum wage in February, to 8 dollars an hour.
Next up is the new National Credit Union which the Ministry of Finance, Investment and Trade is hoping a consultant will step up to establish. The Credit Union is aimed at expanding financing options for residents beyond commercial lenders.
Customised vehicles are also being brought in for a brand-new K-9 unit at the Department of Customs. Late last year, K-9 Units were used at the nation’s ports and were successful in detecting and thwarting efforts to smuggle illicit drugs into the Turks and Caicos Islands.