1 month ago
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The proposed transfer of Police Constable Jhawn Gamboa from the Belize Police Department to the Ministry of Transport is back in focus. The matter first made headlines in July, when Love News reported that Gamboa was being considered for a post within the Transport Department. A government memorandum showed that the Ministry had supported his application for a transfer on promotion from the Police Department to the Public Service. At the time, no appointment had been confirmed. The proposed move sparked questions after allegations surfaced that Transport CEO Chester Williams had helped Gamboa secure the position. Williams denied those allegations, saying the vacancy had been advertised and applicants were interviewed. He also defended Gamboa’s qualifications. Public Service Union President Dean Flowers, however, questioned whether the process followed Public Service policies, arguing that qualified officers already within the Transport Department should have had an opportunity to apply. Love News asked CEO Williams for an update on the proposed transfer and whether Gamboa is still being considered for the position. We also asked him to respond to Flowers’ concerns.
Chester Williams, CEO, Ministry of Transport: “We’re still awaiting the creation of the position by the job classification unit. While we have received approval from cabinet to create the position we still have to go through the formality of applying to the job classification unit and have their recommendation and then the Ministry of Finance create the position. So applications have been submitted to them or the requests have been submitted to them. And as soon as we get the approval from the Ministry of Finance, to higher than we will advertise the position.”
Reporter: When the announcement was made, PSU President Dean Flowers argued that the position goes against public service policies. What do you make of that claim?
Chester Williams, CEO, Ministry of Transport: “I would say I don’t agree with him and that’s his position. At the end of the day we are entitled to our own opinion on certain issues and I do respect the opinion of Mr Flowers. He’s a person who has been in government service. He has been doing this for many years and so I respect what he says. Of course what we want to do is to create a much better work environment within the Department of Transport. But importantly we want to enhance the efficiency of the department. We believe that having one deputy at this time is insufficient because he cannot be everywhere. So to separate the duties, having one deputy that deals with administrative issue and one that deals with enforcement or operational issues is going to serve the department much better. We have seen countless occasions in the past where people go to the offices across the country, they’re not able to get license plates, not being able to get license stickers, cannot get driver’s license, you’re issued a receipt to drive with as a driver’s license, or issued a receipt to use as a license sticker. Those are very unprofessional. When you go to any place and you pay for a service you get what you pay for, and many times Belizeans come to us, they pay for our service and they work away not getting what they have paid for. These are practices that need to come to an end and we believe that by splitting the deputy position into two, one will be able to focus more on ensuring that the services that we offer to the public is not mediocre, that it improves to the level that is acceptable to the Belizean people.”
Williams says he has since spoken with PSU President Dean Flowers, and the two appear to have found some common ground on the issue. The latest development leaves the question of whether Gamboa’s proposed transfer will ultimately move forward.
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