The Ministry of Transport is already facing questions over one police officer trying to move into a senior post. Now, attention is turning to another former police officer already inside the ministry. Dervin Sambula, a former Assistant Superintendent, now serves as legal counsel and was a familiar face during negotiations with the Belize Bus Association earlier this year. Today, CEO Chester Williams was asked whether Sambula was his preferred choice for the job. Williams says he had no hand in selecting him.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Transport
“Of course, Mr. Sambula comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience, having served in the police department for many years, rose to the rank of Assistant Superintendent. He was the legal advisor at the police as well and his years of experience as police and his legal training is something that really compliments us at the ministry and the Department of Transport. We are grateful to have him as part of our staff. He is always active, out there with he officers. He is not a person that stays in the office. He is out there making sure he provides legal guidance as they perform their duties.”
Reporter
“Is their any specific reason why he was chosen?”
Chester Williams
“He applied, and let me make it clear, I did not choose him. Mr. Sambula was chosen by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission. He is a legal officer. It is not the CEO that decides who is a legal officer of any ministry. That goes to the JLSC after applying and they decide if they hire that person and where to put that person.”
Reporter
“And we know that your brother has been made a license officer at headquarters.”
Chester Williams
“That was done a long time ago. He applied and qualified for the post and he is not a license, a registering clerk, a very low pay scale job. He is not, ugh.”
Williams says Sambula has been performing exceptionally well in his role as legal counsel to the ministry.
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