By Belize Live News Staff: Former Minister of Transport Rodwell Ferguson has issued a sharp response to the ongoing corruption scandal at the Spanish Lookout Transport Department office, where over $80,000 in public funds was reportedly misappropriated.
Ferguson, who previously held the transport portfolio, says he acted as soon as concerns were raised. In a public statement, he explained that it was the Mennonite community who first flagged the issue to him, and he immediately instructed the internal auditor to investigate. “When I left, the investigation was going on. I was told the loss was over $70,000,” he said.
As the scandal deepens, Ferguson made it clear that the responsibility for day-to-day financial operations lies with the CEO, not the Minister. “The Minister doesn’t sign off on documents. I want the public to understand that. My job was to implement policy, not manage accounts,” he said.
He also stressed that there is “corruption in Ministries,” and that accountability must be enforced regardless of position. “Let crooks fall where they may,” Ferguson stated, asserting that he has nothing to hide and that he wants his name cleared.
The Ministry, under current CEO Chester Williams, has confirmed that both internal investigators and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) are working to uncover the full scope of the misappropriation. Williams has warned that the amount taken may be even greater than initially reported.
