Est.2007

Barbados Underground

Bringing News and Opinions to the People

Banner promoting anonymous crime reporting with a phone and contact number 1 800 TIPS (8477), featuring the Crime Stoppers logo and a QR code for submitting tips.

Senator Santia Bradshaw Companies Rake in $647,857 From Enterprise Growth Fund

← Back

Your message to the BLOGMASTER was sent

CONTACT THE BLOGMASTER ONLY

Senator Santia Bradshaw and CEO of  Pyramid, Barbados Labour Party candidate for St. Michael South East

It has been drawn to BU’s attention that several companies which Senator Santia Bradshaw has significant interest have benefited in the hundreds of thousands from the Enterprise Growth Fund (EGFL). EGFL is a government agency which manages several funds to ‘assist with financing through tooling and retooling and expansion of businesses in the productive sectors’.

Based on the documents attached Pyramid Entertainment Management Inc  received what is described as a cumulative grant in 2011 of $450,000.00, Got Rythmn Inc received $146,000 in 2010 and Entertainment Network $51, 857.00.

In summary three Santia Bradshaw companies received $647,857 from the EGFL over a relatively short time period.

This is a government agency which is funded by the taxpayers of Barbados therefore BU deems our forage into the financial transactions mentioned as a matter of public interest. We want to know the basis for advancing greater than six hundred thousand dollars to the goodly Senator. The taxpayers want to know!

Relevant Links:

Discover more from Barbados Underground

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

158 responses to “Senator Santia Bradshaw Companies Rake in $647,857 From Enterprise Growth Fund”

  1. DavidB Avatar
    DavidB

    @David

    “BU does not post a blog to garner consensus from commenters. We post what we believe.”

    @ David

    “Some questions are asked about why Senator Bradshaw’s companies received grants from EGFL totaling 640,000plus. In a transparent system this information should be easily available.”
    ===========

    What do you believe? Is it stated anywhere on this blog?
    Also, could you list the specific questions that you have? Because all I am seeing is baseless innuendo.

    I stated up front that if these grants were given when the BLP was in office, then the bar would be raised and I would want to know specifically whether the proper procedures were followed and also need to get assurance that the.e was no undue political influence of the decision
    process.

    So, let us not hide behind empty, self-serving phrases and put our issues on the table; issues not innuendo.

  2. David Avatar
    David

    @DavdisB

    For the umpteenth time read the last two sentences of this posting. Here it is:

    “We want to know the basis for advancing greater than six hundred thousand dollars to the goodly Senator. The taxpayers want to know!”

  3. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ DavidB
    …seems to a simple bushman that this matter can be easily resolved with a statement from the EGFL OR from the Senator explaining the true circumstances of these grants.
    This is public money (and unlike Onions who do not work, Bushie pays HUMONGOUS amounts of taxes of all types) and these are all PUBLIC bodies and personalities.

    Why are you so defensive…? The problem may not be the senator at all…..it could well be the Terrence fellow (again)….or it could be the joker who appointed such a chairman to the EGFL.

    ….man join BU in calling for the facts nuh…. 🙂

  4. robert ross Avatar
    robert ross

    “At the helm are…” – is she a director or not? Is it appropriate, and if so how, to say “advancing…to the goodly Senator”?

    I don’t have a problem with raising questions about the involvement of public figures in the market place. It acts as a brake, a reminder and a warning.

    In such a small place it is hardly likely to be rare. This particular case does not seem to be a cause of serious concern. There is no demonstrable impropriety or conflict of interest. It does not ‘smell’. CF the case of UWI who, a year ago, suddenly switched its medical benefits provider from ICB to Sagicor without consultation with staff and when the ‘chosen one’, Sir H Beckles, is a director of Sagicor. Interestingly, after 10 months Sagicor proposed to up its rates by 70%.

  5. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ David | October 27, 2012 at 8:44 AM |

    Quite true! I agree that full disclosure must be demanded from those who are in a position to provide the kind of information that you David(BU), DavidB and people like me are requesting.

    But it seems rather odd (I am not casting any aspersions here) that you or anyone else would want to extract the truth and facts from a ‘suspect’ person with strong political ties to the Opposition and who is accused by some bloggers of misappropriating the grant money to meet her private or personal financial obligations.

    Grant money from the EGFL is made available on terms and conditions that must be met as set out in the approved grant application. If the person (individual or corporate) reneges and uses the money in ways other than intended then repayment of that money can be demanded. The EGFL has that contractual right and it should be exercised in the allegations against Santia can be proven.

    BTW, should we not be questioning the integrity and professional abilities of the person who currently sitting the Chair of the EGF? Why would we want a man like Thornhill with his tarnished CLICO past be in such an important agency mandated to assist financially and promote the economic development of budding business enterprises?

  6. DavidB Avatar
    DavidB

    @ David

    Only the EGF can answer the question of the basis for granting Ms. Bradshaw’s companies the financing they sought. She may be able to answer the question on the basis of her application for support, but she did not make the decisions to grant her companies those funds.

    Unfortunately, the tone of this blog is that she did something wrong and therefore has a charge to answer.

    Why not raise the question with Terrence Thornhill, or at least hold his feet to the flames in this blog?

  7. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ robert ross | October 27, 2012 at 9:07 AM |
    “….and when the ‘chosen one’, Sir H Beckles, is a director of Sagicor. Interestingly, after 10 months Sagicor proposed to up its rates by 70%.”

    The bête noire of the Great White Mutual is now the golden blue-eye boy of the modern Leviathan.
    The more things change the more they remain the same.
    By their fruits we shall know them; not by big long talk!
    But as the old people used to say about their god: “God ain’t sleeping”. And as Bob Marley sang; “If night should turn to day a lot of people would run away”.
    Hillary B could as well come out and say that this move was part of a “Mutual” agreement for continued support of the Sagicor High performance Centre and in return the entire campus insurance portfolio should be the quid pro quo.

  8. David Avatar
    David

    @Miller and DavidB

    Let us demand answers to questions. BU has not thrown aspersions at the Senator. We have highlighted her case to ask, what is the basis for disbursing grant money to companies she is a Director.

  9. DavidB Avatar
    DavidB

    I am all for the free flow of information. I even welcome stuff that blow off the back of a truck.

    However, we cannot ignore the rantings of people like Carson, who don’t want the facts, but instead are baying for blood; fair or foul. In his first post, he even suggested that the article was written on his instigation.

    The simple question can be put to the EGF and its Chairman: “What is the basis for the grants to, not only the companies highlighted in the article, but also to the foreign-owned conglomerates?”

    There are many other issues that could be raised, for example, an apparent conflict of interest in the grant of some loans, the suitability of the current chairman of the EGF, among others.

    I would all be for that tone and that line of questioning.

  10. Harry callihan Avatar
    Harry callihan

    http://youtu.be/hDPI4TTUnRM

  11. Informer Avatar
    Informer

    David and company on closer checking it has shown that Bradshaw frauded the Bajan Taxpayers just prior to elections in 2008.

    Also be very aware that at that time a person by the name of Sandra Husbands was on the board that would have considered and approved this GRANT FUNDING to Bradshaw.

  12. David Avatar
    David

    @Informer

    How can Bradshaw be blamed for the decision of the Board? What was the basis for EGFL granting this money to companies which the Senator is involved?

  13. DavidB Avatar
    DavidB

    And my stance, as ever, will be: if the grants were disbursed prior to 2008 then it must be shown that the proper procedures were followed and that the decisions were not inspired by political factors.

  14. Informer Avatar
    Informer

    Ask Sandra Husbands and Bradshaw they know how they managed to achieve this fraud.

  15. David Avatar
    David

    @Informer

    Your credibility is no more.

  16. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    @David

    You have asked all kinds of questions concerning the actions of some politicians or aspiring politicians on this blog but rarely have I seen such a concerted effort by bloggers asking you to “ease up” (in the local parlance) on the individual under scrutiny. Clearly some folks are discomfited at the questions being asked; perhaps they know the answers and would be unhappy if they are revealed to all and sundry.

    Dig on! FOI anyone?

  17. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    So were the grants disbursed prior to January 15th, 2008 or after?

  18. David Avatar
    David

    @Enuff

    Why does it matter? Transparency is NOT tied to party.

  19. whatwilltheythinkofnext Avatar
    whatwilltheythinkofnext

    NOW THIS IS FRAUD I AM SURE THAT WHEN SHE APPLIED FOR THIS MONEY SHE DIDNT PUT ON THE APPLICATION THAT SHE WANTED TO USE THE MONEY TO PAY HER MORGAGES.

  20. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Informer | October 27, 2012 at 10:40 AM |
    “.. Ask Sandra Husbands and Bradshaw they know how they managed to achieve this fraud.”

    Fraud is serious criminal offence! If you know that fraud took place why has it taken your administration over 4 years to institute criminal proceedings against parties involved?

    One wonders if ac would also class that act of willful negligence and, to use her term, “aiding and abetting” in an illegal act of distribution of taxpayers’ money.

    But we are not surprised at the DLP’s refusal to deal firmly with the alleged perpetrators. Why clean out the trough that another set of pigs are to feed at? The DLP realized that the EGF is an easy target and slush fund of taxpayers’ money. So why not perpetuate the fraudulent scheme by appointing a ‘boss’ fraudsters with a scintillating background in covering up financial dirty tracks to sit right at the helm of the trough to channel unaccounted and unrecorded grants like the CLICO assets to another sty in George Street not to far from Welches Plaza.

  21. robert ross Avatar
    robert ross

    It is good to know that BU is not casting aspersions on the Senator but simply seeking information about the criteria for disbursing grant monies.

    Err.

    @ Miller

    You got that right.

  22. David Avatar
    David

    We know Peter Tannis follow the goings on in BU if we go by his swift intervention on another matter. Perhaps as a fellow politician and a former banker he may see the need to clarify this matter if others are not so inclined..

  23. David Avatar
    David

    Here are the EGFL guidelines for disbursing funds from the Export Promotion and Marketing Fund.

    http://egfl.bb/docs/Guidelines_for_the_Export_Promotion_and_Marketing_Fund.pdf

  24. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    There seems to be a great love affair between Barbados Labour Party people and Taxpayers money.

    I hope that the WHITE CAMPAIGN manager is able to deal with this emerging scandal.

  25. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    Now Sandra Husbands?

    Lord have mercy on the Barbados Treasury!!!!

    Keep it safe from the Barbados Labour Party.

  26. BIG WOOD Avatar
    BIG WOOD

    I like Santia
    I find that she is attractive and sexy
    I would like to take her to my crib
    Cabbin Stabbin all night
    Would she be interested ? I doubt it
    But BIG WOOD likes her anyway
    Question is : would she like me – BIG WOOD ?

  27. BIG WOOD Avatar
    BIG WOOD

    I am just wondering why my other comments were moderated,
    I am really wondering but I aint saying nothing yet,
    When I ready , I am going to say what I have the say on the matter but if free speech is under threat even on a blog like this , why should we wonder about elsewhere ?

  28. BIG WOOD Avatar
    BIG WOOD

    8———————->O

  29. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    Some points to ponder re the guidelines as laid down by EGFL
    a) The maximum funding per application for private sector entities is BDS$1.0 million. The Management Committee will not unreasonably withhold approval of projects with a total cost exceeding this amount.

    b) Qualifying private sector entities will be required to contribute from their own resources 20% of the total cost of the project. In exceptional cases the Fund reserves the right to reduce or completely waive the requirement for a contribution of 20%.

    c) Disbursement shall be made upon submission of documentary evidence satisfactory to EGFL. Where possible, disbursement will be made directly to the account of suppliers or contractors of goods and services.

    In other words it was open season on this fund i.e. the maximum amount is 1.0 million but we can approve more and you are required to contribute 20% of your own resources but we can waive same in “exceptional” cases; who or what determines “exceptional” as to constitute waiver of the 20%?

    As to disbursement what proof is required that the funds would be used for the purpose for which it was intended?

    Free money anyone?

  30. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    They say everthing is interconnected.
    The more questions being asked about this situation, the more rocks are being overturned and we dont like what we see under them.

    There is also something fishy. All the Barbados Labour Party supporters on this blog are very eager to have this situation swept under the carpet, not ventilated.

    Why?

    If more bloggers continue to ask questions about this what else is there that is hidden that will finally see the light of day?

  31. robert ross Avatar
    robert ross

    @ C C Cadogan

    Please don’t delude yourself that it is only BLP politicos who share one mind on this..

  32. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    @ Hants
    It is clear you don’t understand the concept or purpose of venture capital. They don’t function like banks but focus on HIGH RISK ventures, which warrants such a discretionary framework.

  33. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Enuff | October 27, 2012 at 8:18 PM |

    @ Hants
    It is clear you don’t understand the concept or purpose of venture capital. They don’t function like banks but focus on HIGH RISK ventures, which warrants such a discretionary framework.

    We are not discussing venture capital.

    We are discussing possible fraudulent acquisition or disbursement of Tax payers money.

  34. Enuff Avatar
    Enuff

    @ Hants
    My apologies. That comment was directed @Sargeant who was questioning the approval policy; and, given his stance, it was about VENTURE CAPITAL.

  35. millertheanunnaki Avatar
    millertheanunnaki

    @ Hants | October 27, 2012 at 11:38 PM |
    “We are discussing possible fraudulent acquisition or disbursement of Tax payers money.”

    And who is to prove this? The same persons accused of the fraud?
    The onus, Hants, is on those doing the accusing to prove fraudulent acquisition of taxpayers’ money and that burden, Hants, rests with the administration in charge of the EGFL, whether political or executive.

  36. old onion bags Avatar
    old onion bags

    Really now…..I TIRED OF THIS MESS…..why D HELL somebody doan just call D friggin EL ZONG ELECTION TING…..and lets us get on with our lives…this ding dong is sicken now…what is the keep back all about anyway ? Conclusion will be the same.

  37. Sargeant Avatar
    Sargeant

    @Enuff
    Both Hants and I live north of the 49th parallel so it is easy to confuse the two of us and Hants (bless his heart) felt duty bound to respond.

    So this is what it is called? “Venture Capital”?
    Going by the “venture capital” model does the Fund have an equity position in this or any Enterprise? How many “Start Up” companies has it assisted? I see a few long established companies that would hardly fall into the mould of a company requiring venture capital.

    A form of “Venture Capital” that doesn’t require the applicant to provide any capital but gives the Fund the ability to waive “ the right to reduce or completely waive the requirement for a contribution of 20%”.

    You may call it “Venture Capital” I prefer “Slush Fund”

  38. David Avatar
    David

    @Sargeant

    To give force to your comment check who the chairmen of EGFL have been since 2009.

  39. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ Sargeant
    In Barbados, ‘venture Capital’ is money that is available for distribution without any intent of repayment.
    You can always recognize it’s presence by the wild and illogical assertions of politicians and the sudden appearance of know political parasites in positions that are usually completely outside of their abilities.

    The ‘venture’ aspect relates to the circuitous route that said funding usually follows before most of it ends up in the hands of the ‘wild and illogical’ politician.

    The sad thing is that most Bajans’ only concern is that they cannot somehow get “their fair share….”

  40. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    $647,857

    I can see no problem lending an individual that amount of money if there is a provable ROI.

    The minister responsible for the fund should be asked to explain the basis of the loan.

    Since Bradshaw is running for political office she has to show the taxpayers that she has spent their money responsibly and has been making repayments in a timely manner.

    The again like most politicians in Barbados she can do absolutely nothing and the problem will go away.

  41. Tell me Why Avatar
    Tell me Why

    Again I ask. Why focus on Santia only. Did she approved the loan? Did she signed the cheque? Was a weapon used to force approval? Was due diligence involved before approval? Was the money approved during the last administration tenure?

    Now what about the Banks Holding 1.5 mil, Invest Barbados 12.3 mil or event BIDC 763 Thousands. What was the criteria for such large disbursments?

  42. Informer Avatar
    Informer

    Hants it was a GRANT FUNDING of which we are speaking about with over a half a million dollars to Bradshaw account not repayments are necessary my friend.

  43. Informer Avatar
    Informer

    The matter was brought to the attention of the public tonight very ably by Senator Jepter Ince in his address to the people of ST George earlier this evening, the woman is a pathetic fraud ask her about her dismissal as attorney for the owners of Lot 37 Lower Burney when the case was about to go to court, she was representing the property owners in a case against the builder whom only happened to be her father DeLisle of Pele Paris murderer fame! She was fired by the property owners for tying to serve two masters at the same time, her father and extracting money the distraught property owners.
    She is nothing but a shameless crook and one with no morals or sense of right or wrong or ethics.

  44. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    I am told that the amount is far greater than $647,857.

    I am told that the amount exceeds $900,00.00.

  45. P-eye Avatar
    P-eye

    3 companies all in the cultural industry…cultural industry is still a baby industry in this country….i think wunna shud get the files on a certain candidate who loan $1m for a morgage and the house cant be located…plus the monies stolen from other banks and the monies stolen from constituency councils….yet another distration from the real issues

  46. ToThe Point Avatar
    ToThe Point

    @David
    I am now seeing this thread for the first time, but u can help me, under what conditions have grant funds be offered to those companies.

    Lord have mercy, a successful company like Bank Holding obtaining over a million dollars. Lord have mercy on my sinful sole. When there are no state agencies to pander to these crooks what will hapen.

  47. David Avatar
    David

    Minister Kellman explained it yesterday on the talk show. Foreign exchange creation is critical and all the companies given grants are forex generating companies. According to him Banks was able to break into the US/UK markets recently as a result of the grant to fund its export drive.

  48. ToThe Point Avatar
    ToThe Point

    why shouldnt this be a soft loan. I have difficulty with these entities making off the support their receive and the initial outlay is not returned to a revolving fund.

  49. well well Avatar
    well well

    Delisle did get away, wonder if she will. Ha Ha

  50. Born at night not last night. Avatar
    Born at night not last night.

    The apple does not fall far from the tree. Santia barely won. She is like her father and boyfriend. Don’t forget that he was the chairman of the EGF and chairman of Hardwood Housing. Money came up missing and so did papers .She made money at the benefit of tax payers. Does she have a clear conscience. No. Does she care .Probably not . Tan-man can beat her and nearly did.Next time he will win. He fiance and her must be waiting seething trying to get their hands on some more Govt Tax payers money. The frustration must be bad. She barely won even with her rich boyfriends money. He was fired from Price Waterhouse for stealing back in the 80’s. The man is an old pro. I knew of the stories from others at PW.

The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.

Trending

Discover more from Barbados Underground

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading