Government confirmed the payment of severance and other termination benefits to over 80 employees of the marketing and national importing board (MNIB) on Tuesday. this comes as the NDC-led government dissolves the operations of the bankrupt state-owned body with plans to create a new entity.
Two major steps in the reformation process of the Marketing and National Importing Board (MNIB) were successfully completed this week, as the Government of Grenada moves forward with plans to better position the entity to support the transformation of the agricultural sector and increase the nation’s food security.
On Tuesday, 28 February 2023, Government paid severance and other termination benefits to all 87 staff members of the MNIB on record, as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Commercial and Industrial Workers Union (CIWU), to the tune of $2,667,892.73 out of the Consolidated Fund.
Further, Government appointed a 6-member broad-based Technical Working Group (TWG) to treat with the establishment of an appropriate public-private partnership (PPP) to support the sustainable growth of the agriculture sector.
Earlier this month Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, announced plans to dissolve the operations of the cash-strapped MNIB with plans to create a new entity, through a private-public partnership.
PM Mitchell explained the reasons behind government’s decision and provides proof of why the MNIB is in the state it is presently in.
The PPP will be given a mandate to tackle the current gaps in the logistics of food, to include transport, storage, preservation, and distribution including exportation of agricultural produce and products. The Technical Working Group will work alongside the Board of the MNIB to ensure a smooth and seamless transition to the new entity. The transition is expected to be completed in 6 months, commencing today.
GBN sought to get the names of the 6 members of the broad-based Technical Working Group however attempts proved futile.
