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Barbados Government Not Committed to Transparency

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Bolt Solutions Inc, CAIPO registry # 37941, Category = company, date registered 2014-02-19 Bolt Solutions Inc, CAIPO registry # 37941, Category = company, date registered 2014-02-19 – see CAIPO Director document

Just like 3S and others we observe companies being registered on the face of it to be eligible to tender and receive government contracts. In the case of the above project being managed by the Ministry of the Environment (Denis Lowe’s ministry) we question who is BOLT Solutions Inc. It is the right of Barbadians to ask questions but more importantly the government promised to be transparent. We want to know.

We also want to know if Bjerkham’s company has tendered for a multimillion dollar contract if this does not represent a conflict of interest as a result of his membership on the Board of the Central Bank of Barbados.

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86 responses to “Barbados Government Not Committed to Transparency”

  1. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    BU alright to talk but I just lost most of my $5 million to my siblings and I need to make it back.

  2. PLANTATION DEEDS FROM 1926 TO 2014 , MASSIVE FRAUD ,LAND TAX BILLS AND NO DEEDS OF BARBADOS, BLPand DLP=Massive Fruad Avatar
    PLANTATION DEEDS FROM 1926 TO 2014 , MASSIVE FRAUD ,LAND TAX BILLS AND NO DEEDS OF BARBADOS, BLPand DLP=Massive Fruad

    Basel 3 on those FUNDS source of funds and tax returns, What that means is mom had a lot to laundering , and now the family was hung out to dry. Sooner or later the RATS must come out of their hole.

  3. David Avatar
    David

    @Deeds

    You keep referring to Basel 3 and the impact it will have on money laundering, -please explain because you are not making sense but BU is willing to learn.

  4. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    David

    The link below would help to explain Deeds’ reference to Basel 3

    http://www.bis.org/bcbs/basel3.htm

    >

  5. The Watcher Avatar
    The Watcher

    Time for Barbadians to ACT!
    Don’t just ask who is this BOLT? Seek them out of the Web. Use the Internet that you pay so dearly for to educate and enlighten if not enrich yourself with information that is useful, not just to watch TV and play online games.
    If these folk don’t check out, get them out of Barbados!
    Ask for the Minister’s resignation also. Having these people see that the public is no longer a passive bunch of talkers, will scare lots of them into action on behalf of the people

  6. David Avatar
    David

    @Caswell

    Understood but what does it have to do with corruption and money laundering. A look at the link shows Basel III is related to:

    level of bank loss reserves that must be held by banks for various classes of loans and other investments and assets that they have, Basel III is primarily related to the risks for the banks of a run on the bank by requiring differing levels of reserves for different forms of bank deposits and other borrowings. Therefore contrary to what might be expected by the name, Basel III rules do not for the most part supersede the guidelines known as Basel I and Basel II but work alongside them.

  7. David Avatar
    David

    @The Watcher

    The Directors will checkout, they will likely be outstanding citizens, on the surface.

  8. Annie Avatar
    Annie

    Richard Edghill is a director of bolt solutions. That is all my 5 mins of research has revealed.

  9. Annie Avatar
    Annie

    He has been in construction foe years. James is Son and we all know who moorjani is….So that document is correct. A company formed in February get a massive contract in mere months …hmmm

  10. Sunshine Sunny Shine Avatar
    Sunshine Sunny Shine

    @Annie

    Can you send me the link where you found the information on BOLT. THank you

  11. Lemuel Avatar
    Lemuel

    This Moorjani Caribbean Ltd and Edghill Associates combining to do a BOLT of the SSA. They have had similar BOLTS for the Eric Holder Complex under Mia Mottley. I do agree that they shall check out to be above board although they are doing business with Denis Lowe!!

  12. David Avatar
    David

    @SSS

    All the link to the CAIPO document is hyperlink in the blog.

    https://barbadosunderground.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/bolt-solutions-inc.jpg

  13. Lemuel Avatar
    Lemuel

    BOLT means “build” “operate” “lease” “transfer”. The company would design build and operate the building until they are repaid. The Government has been very incompetent in these deals and our eyes have jucked out for a number of these agreements.

  14. Sunshine Sunny Shine Avatar
    Sunshine Sunny Shine

    I Google that name and came up with BOLTS Solutions Inc Canada. There is no information that this Canadian Company is doing a big contract in Barbados unless I missing something. Also reference is drawn to a BOLT but that is an acronym for Build-Operate-Lease and Transfer but that related to the government under a Barbados Labour Party rule conducting a private and public sector driven arrangement re capital projects at a time when that party incurred a dept increase from $630 million in 2004 to over $1.2 Billion at the end of 2006. I see no other references indicating a time line of this company that could validate its authenticity as an establish company.

    I therefore tend to agree with Caswell hm hmmm hmmmm that crooked Dennis Lowe is on another mission for money.

  15. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Of course they will check out….these people have been at this for YEARS now….the trick is not in the formalities like directors and registration…It is in the consultations, the bidding, the contract and the over-runs

    Wuh shiite then…the Auditor General no less, has been ringing bells for YEARS now and NO ONE has paid him any attention….who the hell will listen to bloggers on BU?

    Wunna don’t understand that this situation has now gone to the point where the ONLY solution is a complete revolution in governance?

    Commonsense tells us that these are the VERY SAME players who have been involved in the various schemes that we have had for decades now….
    Add them to D. Low – of Allard fame – and only a Stuart could miss the connections….cause Froon probably has not yet read THAT paper either….

    …think they suddenly got honest? …..and the BLP people can’t say one shiite – else they deeds will be exposed too – so THEIR asses are compromised too…

    ….um is only Caswell left…..

  16. Sunshine Sunny Shine Avatar
    Sunshine Sunny Shine

    In reading this arrangement from previous so called leases it would appear that significant costs could easily be incurred under much false pretenses since costs are never fully disclosed. As a result. it is easy to go into an arrangement that could derived mutual benefits for both public and private sector entities.

    According to what I am reading here the Dodds prison was one such BOLT agreement which when the so called final cost was spelt out by the ruling party, that project stood at just over 1 billion dollars. The justification for spending so much money was an act in frivolity as the controversy surrounding labeled Mia Mottley and other parties as part and parcels of a crooked scam. But they had nothing to worry about since they all know that Barbados is a nation of much bark but hardly any bite so all of them can get away with murdah. Now with Dennis Lowe involve I see no reason not to be skeptical of this arrangement since Lowe proved that in the first few weeks of winning the government his thirst for money was conveyed in a text message.

    The public marches should not focus on government disclosure of this specific project under Lowe”s crooked watch.

  17. Lemuel Avatar
    Lemuel

    Bushie:
    Good point!!

  18. David Avatar
    David

    There is nothing wrong with a BOLT, in fact it is a useful arrangement if we accept the government is broke. The rub is in the governance piece.

  19. Lemuel Avatar
    Lemuel

    If you allow stupid civil servants to sit down and allow others to bring financial arrangements to them and signing with out proper vetting, then there is something wrong with BOLTS as they are done in Barbados. Remember, the Dodds prison was one of them!! Our great great great grand children shall have to repay these debts.

  20. Sunshine Sunny Shine Avatar
    Sunshine Sunny Shine

    @David

    I agree with you. I see nothing wrong with a BOLT arrangement but the problem with this BOLT is the players on the government side that are involved. Lowe is a two face crook who is to say that he does not stand to benefit in this BOLT. And if he benefits in this BOLT then I see something seriously wrong with a BOLT.

  21. ac Avatar
    ac

    Bush Tea | July 6, 2014 at 8:21 AM |

    ….um is only Caswell left…..
    ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

    ummm you mad as sh..ite

  22. David Avatar
    David

    @SSS

    We need to recall off-budget translations was a big criticism by the DLP while in Opposition of then BLP government. How are government decisions taken to support the BOLT? If we had the transparency promised by this government it would eliminate the rumour and inaccuracies that surface to fill the vacuum. When will our politicians learn?

  23. Sunshine Sunny Shine Avatar
    Sunshine Sunny Shine

    @David

    When there is no need to fear the system since the system is created for their good pleasure what is there to learn. This set of politicians have been reinforced in their boldness to openly show their gains from their deals by years of passive dispositions by the populace. They know you will get the odd uprising and a bit of turbulence but out side of that nothing much to worry about. There is nothing to learn here accept new ways to cover their crooked tracks without fear of reprisal or threat of punishment.

  24. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    All of you can talk but how many of you know what it is like to lose $5 million of your hard earned bribe money. If you think that I going back to a point where court marshals looking for me with a warrant to commit me to Dodds for cock tax or where bailiffs take up my car for nonpayment, you can think again. It ain’t happening, so you could talk as much as you like.

    Oh by the way, any reference to an actual situation is purely incidental.

    >

  25. Annie Avatar
    Annie

    Sunshine…you should have seen an advocate article
    barbadosadvocate.com/admini/Newsview.asp?NewsID=34426
    Which has a photo captioned with Edghill as representing bolt and the link David posted.

    34426
    Category
    local
    Publication Date
    1/21/2014
    Headline
    Committed to green energy
    Story

    http://barbadosunderground.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/low_edghill.jpg
    Government has identified a number of projects which are to be undertaken in the near future, aimed at helping to move its green energy plans forward.

    According to Minister of Environment and Drainage, Dr. Denis Lowe, Cabinet has also approved the creation of a number of projects which will form part of the Mangrove Pond Green Energy Programme. He made the comments while addressing those gathered at Vaucluse, St. Thomas for the groundbreaking ceremony for the new administration building of the Sanitation Service Authority, estimated to cost $28.7 million.

    The Minister indicated that in addition to the new headquarters of the SSA, plans are on stream to locate a number of state-of-the-art energy generation facilities on the property. He revealed that also to be placed on the site is a waste-to-energy plant at an investment cost of US $340 million; a landfill gas-to-energy project at a cost of $9.4 million; a solar power farm expected to cost US $60 million; a wind farm which is to cost $24 million and an ultra modern mechanical workshop which is estimated to cost $11 million.

    Minister Lowe said that there is also to be a leachate treatment plant estimated to cost $31.9 million and an $11 million Mangrove Beautification Programme, which, while not a revenue generation programme, is very important as it will give the final imagery for the site at Vaucluse. Lowe said that with respect to the leachate plant, they are presently at the contract stage of negotiations.

    “The infrastructure committee of Cabinet led by Dr. the honourable David Estwick has been driving these projects to roll out because we do not have a lot of downtime to play with. The economy needs us more than ever and we need the economy more than ever and therefore this Ministry – the Ministry of Environment and Drainage – is going to continue to do its part in ensuring that whatever needs to obtain to get these projects done, that they will be done and that is our commitment,” he maintained.

    With that in mind, Lowe indicated that the named projects combined will generate twice as much revenue as it currently takes to finance the present operations of the SSA, which stands at $52 872 825.32. He added that if all goes well, within a few years the SSA will become a self-contained institution, which does not have to rely on Central Government for its lifeline.

    “As the lead solid waste agency in Barbados, the SSA plays a critical role in ensuring that the Ministry of Environment and Drainage’s environmental stewardship agenda is achieved. This environmental agenda is based on a cultural shift away from considering waste as useless garbage or trash, to regarding it as a valuable secondary material that can be potentially recovered through waste minimisation, pollution prevention, increased systems efficiency and resource conservation,” he added.

    Dr. Lowe said the SSA’s vision for solid waste management extends beyond traditional waste management to involve a more holistic and comprehensive resource management approach. This, he said, will result in an effective, efficient, island-wide integrated solid waste management system that is financially and environmentally stable. (JRT)

    http://barbadosadvocate.com/admini/News_Photo_bv.asp?NewsID=34426

  26. Lemuel Avatar
    Lemuel

    Caswell:
    I hope you aint talking about Denis Lowe cause the DLP fellas winning a lot of law suits!!

  27. Annie Avatar
    Annie

    What I find interesting is that the article is dates January 21 even before the company was registered.

  28. Annie Avatar
    Annie

    Sorry, in February . This is a company not an arrangement . We all know what bottles means.

  29. Jan Jan Avatar
    Jan Jan

    Is that the same Tricia Watson , attorney and Brass Tacks “Moderatoe” alongside short -me-crutch Stephen Lashley in that Nation photo from the Semifinals at the Oval. Did she pay to get in ? And she would want to portray that she is not biased when she is on the Show. DLP YARDFOWL TRICIA WATSON !!!

    A blind man trotting backwards on a horse could see that Tricia Watson is a another one brought by Ellis to support his support of the DEMS . Ellis always side tracks people who criticize the Government and his bias is so evident , it stinks ! Tricia Watson does the same. Ask Ellis why he got rid of Nef. Caddle, Caddle’s daughter …

    We dont mind you supporting a Party , but not at the expense of the poor and dis-enfranchised people of Barbados while supporting Stuart and his gang.. A number of persons has said that Stuart is aloof and seem not to want to speak to people.

    The DLP IS NOT DOING A GOOD JOB AND PEOPLE ARE JUSTIFYING THIS STUPID GOVERNMENT’S ACTIONS with all sorts of excuses. People like David Ellis and Tricia Watson.

    As for PDC calling for both the DLP and BLP to be rejected, I think that the call is stupid. It is either the DLP or the BLP . When one messes up, you change them. The problem is that you have to be over them supervising them like a parent supervising a child. Otherwise they will do as they like. Barcelona , Real Madrid, Empire or Spartan don’t destroy Barcelona , Real Madrid Empire or Spartan to get rid of players. What they do is fire Coaches and change players.–change the Team.

    PDC knows that what they are calling for will not work but PDC does not really want it to work anyhow. PDC is asking for something that they know will not happen so that psychologically they can say that the reason for their failure lies elsewhere.

    Face Reality PDC; its the DLP or BLP. ==Somebody has to run the Country. What is needed from the people is VIGILANCE not Vigilantes

  30. Caswell Franklyn Avatar
    Caswell Franklyn

    What would give you that impression? I would never say such things about an honourable gentleman.

    >

  31. St George's Dragon Avatar
    St George’s Dragon

    There is nothing suspicious about a newly registered company in a situation like this.
    This is how it works. Government has no money. The SSA has no money. They want a new office. They have to get the private sector to fund it and build it.
    The private sector player selected for the project sets up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to develop, build, maintain and operate the asset for the contracted period. The SPV is the entity which contracts with the SSA. It also makes arrangements with the funders. It is likely that Edghill and Moorjani have both injected assets or equity into the company, so have shares of ownership in the SPV.
    BOLT Solutions is therefore a normal feature of this type of arrangement.
    The SSA tendered this project to a number of bidders so it was meant to be a fair process. Whether Lowe had any underhand arrangement I do not know, but if he did, it is certainly not necessary to have an SPV to make this happen.

  32. Sunshine Sunny Shine Avatar
    Sunshine Sunny Shine

    Wunna think that my boy Caswell is some monkey idiot? If anyone want to bury their head in the sand they can do so but that Son of Bitch is crook. A die hard ruthless crook. He and that other thieving crook Noel Lynch are very much alike.

  33. David Avatar
    David

    Why are we not having any discussion about potential conflict of interest by Bjerkhamn’s group of companies to work on the WastetoEnergy plant.

    doc 1

    doc 2

  34. David Avatar
    David

    Some documents related to the Waste to Energy plant:

    doc 1

    doc 2

    doc 3

  35. David Avatar
    David

    @St George’s Dragon

    You are suggesting we have NO established companies to bid for these projects?

  36. MoneyBrain Avatar
    MoneyBrain

    @Jan Jan
    VIGILANCE not vigilantes. Has a great ring to it!

    The reality is that Vigilance only works when it stands a high probability of success. Where is any evidence that vigilance will solve the serious CORRUPTION in Bim?

    What Bim MUST have is STRICT INTEGRITY Legislation combined with TRIPLING the PAY for MPs to attract the most Professional and CLEVEREST Bajans.

  37. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    Jan Jan | July 6, 2014 at 9:21 AM |

    “Is that the same Tricia Watson , attorney and Brass Tacks “Moderatoe” alongside short -me-crutch Stephen Lashley in that Nation photo from the Semifinals at the Oval. Did she pay to get in ? And she would want to portray that she is not biased when she is on the Show. DLP YARDFOWL TRICIA WATSON !!!”

    I noticed her style as being biased as well. Maureen Holder started moderating similarly on VOB.

    It cannot be a coincidence that David Ellis managed to recruit (1) Maxine McClean (2) Mathew Farley (3) Tony Marshall (4) Maureen Holder (5) Harry Husbands (6) Ralph Jemmott (7) Akintoolove Corbin

  38. David Avatar
    David

    The late Brandford Taitt was Ellis’ mentor.

  39. MoneyBrain Avatar
    MoneyBrain

    “All governments suffer a recurring problem: Power attracts pathological personalities.”

    “the more the state ‘plans’ the more difficult planning becomes for the individual,”

    “In all the more advanced communities the great majority of things are worse done by the intervention of government, than the individuals most interested in the matter would do them, or cause them to be done, if left to themselves”

    Most relevant quotes some from more than 160 yrs ago! NOTHING will change unless the system changes through STRICT INTEGRITY Legislation.

    Both Parties will continue to PARTY at the populace’s EXPENSE!
    SUCKERS!

  40. MoneyBrain Avatar
    MoneyBrain

    In general, I have great sympathy for the Rahn Curve, which essentially states that the larger the government becomes beyond a certain point (about 20% of GDP) the slower economic growth will be.

    Under the influence of the neo-Keynesian interventionists and the professors at the Fed, the public has been brainwashed into believing that governments can revive economic growth. But as Ronald Reagan pointed out,

    “Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem.”
    Barry Goldwater warned that,

    “The government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away.”

  41. Well Well Avatar
    Well Well

    Lem said:
    ‘”If you allow stupid civil servants to sit down and allow others to bring financial arrangements to them and signing with out proper vetting, then there is something wrong with BOLTS as they are done in Barbados”

    The really BIG PROBLEM i am told is the jackasses from both DLP/BLP rush to sign these agreements/contracts particularly if there is wriggle room for skimming off the top (cost overruns) WITHOUT READING OR UNDERSTANDING what they hell they are signing…then there is the photo op to turn their already foolish heads…steupss.

  42. MoneyBrain Avatar
    MoneyBrain

    @WW
    Which one of dem gives a RODENT’s RECTUM about READING or UNDERSTANDING. They thinking ONLY about $$$$$$ moving to their Bank Acct!

    If U are in Construction in BIM paying the Pols is PART of CONDUCTING BUSINESS. It is close to becoming a “legitimate” expense! lol

  43. Artaxerxes Avatar
    Artaxerxes

    Sunshine Sunny Shine | June 30, 2014 at 9:51 AM |
    “That is why I care little or nothing for those who come on here and can articulate campaign promises and manifestos to a T.”

    My friend, we know you have a particular bias towards the DLP, that’s your right and business. However, it was the DLP who campaigned vigorously on the issue of corruption and the need for transparency, declaration of assets by public officers and freedom of information legislation. To prove they were “serious”, the DLP included an entire section of their manifesto dedicated to “Good Governance”, stating their concerns and how they intended to address these concerns.

    Six years on, the DEMS have refused to implement the necessary legislation (which they promised to put into law immediately after forming the government) to address corruption. Their trade mark excuses of “blame the recession or BLP policies” cannot work any longer, since ITAL does not need significant amounts of financing to implement.

    In my opinion, good governance was the theme of this DLP administration, and in conjunction with the need for change at the time, was the main reason why they were elected to office.

    So far, they gave failed miserably and has become even more arrogant and corrupt that the BLP. As such, I will continue to “articulate campaign promises and manifestos to a T” to remind the DEMS and supporters of this “colossal failure” and their hypocrisy. So, get used to it.

  44. Well Well Avatar
    Well Well

    Moneybrain:

    “Most relevant quotes some from more than 160 yrs ago! NOTHING will change unless the system changes through STRICT INTEGRITY Legislation.”

    Money…..they are overdoing the shit, really overdoing the shit.

  45. Wily Coyote Avatar
    Wily Coyote

    CORRUPTION RUNS DEEP IN BARBADOS, lots of upstanding business owners involved in the corruption up past their proverbial eyebrows.

    TURD WORLD BARBADOS is sinking lower on the social totem pole daily.

  46. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    Artaxerxes wrote “Six years on, the DEMS have refused to implement the necessary legislation.”

    Integrity legislation and freedom of information legislation is not supported by either party.

    Do you hear the BLP parliamentarians demanding that the legislation is passed ?

    Freedom of information would be damaging to members on both sides unless they have been honest.

  47. MoneyBrain Avatar
    MoneyBrain

    @Wily
    SHAKEDOWN by Pols is rife in Bim and due to survival instincts business people have LIL choice but to PAY UP or go out of business, especially in construction! This is the genesis, OFFICIALDOM created the corruption.
    Please stop misleading the stupid!

  48. MoneyBrain Avatar
    MoneyBrain

    @Hants
    Neither Party will ever introduce such forms of legislation, they view it as ANTI Net WORTH ENHANCEMENT Legislation!

  49. St George's Dragon Avatar
    St George’s Dragon

    @ David
    Read what I said. I am telling you that an SPV is merely a company set up as a vehicle for a project like this. The established companies (Moorjani, Edghill etc) exist within it.
    It’s just the way it has to work when you have joint ventures between companies.

  50. MoneyBrain Avatar
    MoneyBrain

    I will never forget a day in late 1978 / early 1979 being approached by a fella, from a good middle class black family/ good school, well CONnected politically, who was very “Christian” (someone I barely knew ) , who came into my place of business, in Belleville, and said ” thought U might like to know that my brother is working in the Customs and we can help U when needed.”

    This was TOTALLY UNSOLICITED!

    Add that to the fact that I knew from my father’s 50yrs of Bridgetown business experience that there was little corruption until the 1970s and eventually that my own brother would be removed from high office partially because he REFUSED to PAY Customs SHAKEDOWNS / EXTORTIONs, indeed he was told ” that is the way today to lubricate goods through the Port”

    There is a reason why Shop Hill has those McMansions of 5-6,000 sf++++ !

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