Former Transport Minister: “I Want to Clear My Name”

An internal investigation within the Ministry of Transport has revealed serious concerns about financial mismanagement, with funds collected for services allegedly being diverted before reaching government accounts. The matter has now been formally handed over to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for review.

Transport Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh, who assumed office only weeks ago, launched the investigation after identifying anomalies across several offices countrywide. “When we came in we found irregularities across the country,” he said. “We have a case with the DPP… I can’t speak to it specifically, so we are taking steps—that is our responsibility.”

The core issue, according to Dr. Zabaneh, involves public payments for services at ministry offices that never make it into government coffers. “Certain amount of money is collected at that level and it does not reach into the coffers of government. There are schemes that they use to take these monies into their own pockets,” he revealed. He added, “We feel that until we are able to make an example of rogue employees who are there stealing the resources of our people… maybe until then it continues business as usual. Hopefully people get the message we are serious.”

The investigation has fueled speculation about whether former Transport Minister Rodwell Ferguson may be implicated. But Dr. Zabaneh emphasized that no individual is currently being targeted: “At this point what we are looking at is in the hands of the DPP.”

Ferguson has issued a public statement defending his record and distancing himself from the alleged wrongdoing. “I want to make it categorically clear. I was informed by the Mennonite community of supposedly corruption at the Transport department office in Spanish Lookout. Right away I ask the internal auditor to launch an investigation,” Ferguson said.

He added that when he left office, the investigation was still ongoing and the estimated loss had already surpassed $70,000.

“I want the public to understand the Minister is not the accounting officer. He doesn’t sign on any document. There is a difference between the Minister and the CEO. The Minister is to implement policies and the CEO is responsible for the day-to-day activity of the Ministry,” he explained. “I want to clear my name.”