Minister Ferguson says his son can handle his own candle

Earlier this week, we reported on the dispute over land and logs in Pomona Village, Stann Creek. A group of farmers, which include Aldon Tasher and Carolyn Logan, who say that the Minister’s son, Rodwell Jr. and nephew, Aaron are causing them great distress. Today, Minister of Transport and Stann Creek West area representative, Rodwell Ferguson, Sr. spoke to the media about his son’s role in this drama – and some other goings-on in the area. Minister Ferguson insists his son is a grown man and one who can handle his own candle. 

Rodwell Ferguson, Area Representative, Stann Creek West: “I will tell you again, my son is over eighteen years old. You all try to find him wherever he is and ask him for an interview. I do not know what they do, they live in a different house from me okay  and I’m not the Minister of Lands so I don’t know what happens there if anything happens.”

Reporter: But they have a government job to be driving your government vehicle that is what we understand.

Rodwell Ferguson, Area Representative, Stann Creek West: “Aaron Ferguson is my security, he has a government license to drive a government vehicle.”

Reporter: Without you being present ?

Rodwell Ferguson, Area Representative, Stann Creek West: “It doesn’t matter he is my security and he has the authority to drive a government vehicle whenever he wants once its under my jurisdiction. The Minister of Lands controls the lands across the country so as the area representative I might not even know who applied for land within Belmopan because that is the purview of the Minister of Lands.”

Reporter: You son present at land clinics. What business does he have there ? Is he employed within – can you explain that ? 

Rodwell Ferguson, Area Representative, Stann Creek West: “Anybody can go to land clinics. Honestly I will not respond because anybody can go to a land clinic in any part of the country, they are Belizeans.”

Reporter: No but they’re working for you and on your behalf so in what position ? 

Rodwell Ferguson, Area Representative, Stann Creek West: “I’m telling you anybody can attend a land clinic across the country. You go and try to find him and ask him. I am a manner of representative that is on the ground almost everyday with my people so they will determine if they want to vote for me again in 2025. The last time I won by 2,400 votes and the people see the effect of my leadership. Right now the UDP is having a convention within a month time and it has no gravity so they’re using everything possible to discredit me to gain gravity for the voters in their convention so that is the main reason behind the whole issue.”

Ferguson says Tasher’s claims are tantamount to political mischief meant to destabilise his chances at re-election.