Last Tuesday, we told you about the allegations by Stann Creek resident Aldon Tasher, who said that relatives of Rodwell Ferguson Sr were involved in a land grab. He said that he and some farmers had already applied for leases for farm lands in the Stann Creek Valley area, but then they claim that Ferguson's relatives visited on multiple occasions, saying that they will be taking the land because Ferguson is the area rep. Tasher also said that while they got clearance to create a road and were planning to use the logs they chopped, but then got accused of illegal logging. The logs they claim then ended up in the possession of parties related to Ferguson.
It's a complicated issue and one that Ferguson is trying to distance himself from. He told us today that his relatives are grown and should answer for themselves. He added that early next week, he will give the media a chance to get the other side of the story.
Rodwell Ferguson, Area Rep., Stann Creek West
"My son is over 18 years old. You try to find him whereever he is and ask him for an interview. I do not know what they do. I live in a different house from them and I am not the minister of lands, so I don't know what happens there, if anything happens."
Reporter
"Aren't you concern about what's happening, it's in your jurisdiction and it's your relatives. Aren't you concern?"
Rodwell Ferguson, Area Rep., Stann Creek West
"I think he will come to you on Tuesday and then you will get the whole picture, but at this point in time I have no idea of what is going on."
Reporter
"You are not the ones who cleared that road, but you applied for the logs and that permit was just sought within January 2023. Now those logs were cut from November 2021, so there is a huge discrepancy there."
Rodwell Ferguson, Area Rep., Stann Creek West
"You have Rodwell Ferguson Sr. and you have Rodwell Ferguson Jr., so please clarify who you are talking about."
Reporter
"As the area representative for Stann Creek West, are you concern that all of this is shrouded with some sort of political motive and that there is intent to discredit your name and your family."
Rodwell Ferguson, Area Rep., Stann Creek West
"Let me tell you something. I am 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's time and they don't have any gravity, so they are using everything possible to discredit me to gain gravity for their convention. So that is the main reason behind the whole issue."
