Errol Clarke Associates, the civil engineering firm at the center of a controversy over a stolen cheque, insists everything is above board in its payment to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Works, Santia Bradshaw.
The controversy erupted after it came to light through a court case that the company had paid $7,500 to Ms. Bradshaw.
The payment was revealed after the cheque was stolen from Ms. Bradshaw’s constituency office and an individual was charged for the break-in.
Ms. Bradshaw has insisted the cheque was a donation to her charity which assists needy people in her constituency.
In a statement, Errol Clarke of Errol Clarke Associates, states that his company is a civil engineering firm which has been operating since 1986 working extensively with several private sector entities as well as government departments.
These include the Ministry of Transport , Works and Water Resources, the Urban Development Commission, the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training.
The company has been involved in studies in the Scotland District on the East Coast as well as the Warrens Project.
The company adds that it is aware of the allegations and insinuations being made with respect to a cheque made payable in the name of Santia Bradshaw and subsequently stolen from her constituency office.
The civil engineering company insists Ms. Bradshaw’s charity was among several such causes they assisted this year since Christmas is a time of providing relief to the less fortunate in society.
The statement goes on to say that over the years the company has regularly contributed donations to churches and other organizations that help the needy and has also made contributions to both the Barbados Labour Party and the Democratic Labour Party, as do several other companies in Barbados.
Mr. Clarke insists that the contribution in question was not made with any intent of receiving favors from the Minister or the Ministry Of Transport Works and Water resources as he is not currently working for the MTWW nor does the company have any active bids before that Ministry for consideration.
Mr. Clarke also says the last project he worked for the MTWW was awarded to them before the current Minister was in charge of her current Ministry.
