Walter Roban Named New Transport Minister

June 7, 2012

[Updated with video] Seven months after stepping down Walter Roban has returned to Cabinet, having been sworn in at Government House this morning [June 7] as the new Minister of Transport.

Derrick Burgess issued a statement last night [June 6] saying he has resigned from his position as Transport Minister. He was originally appointed Minister of Transport in November 2011, taking over from Terry Lister.

Mr Burgess said, “Most recently I was involved in a discussion with a colleague. The aforementioned discussion has been reported in the press. I can say that most of the media reports of the event are embellished and have very little resemblance as to what actually transpired.”

“I will not allow anything to distract from our Party’s effort to serve the people of Bermuda. I have offered and the Premier has accepted my resignation as the Minister of Transport,” continued Mr Burgess.

Mr Roban resigned from Cabinet  in November 2011, having come under fire for his decision to allow Planning appeals by two fellow Cabinet Ministers.

Speaking with Bernews after his resignation last year Mr Roban said, “It is not my wish to bring any or controversy unnecessarily, or accusations on the Government as a result of my actions in any way.

“To ensure the Government can continue its programme free of any uncertainty or questions, I felt the need to step back from the Cabinet to make sure that can happen.”

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Comments (70)

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  1. theotherside says:

    So now we just recycle those who previously resigned under equally suspicious circumstances? SMH

    • I gotta be me says:

      + 1

      • blueboy says:

        +2 THIS IS A JOKE GOVERNMENT, WHY OH WHY WOULD ANYONE VOTE FOR THEM??? ..but they will of course. And we all know why, and it has nothing to do with what is best for Bermuda.

    • old administration says:

      recycled agreed,I wouldn’t of – I would of choose Ms. Foggo or Mr. Burt. What a day OBA recycling Simons, Ed Bailey, Gibbons, Dunkley, Pettingill, Hunte, Crockwell, Pamplin, et al – guess they taking pages out of each others used books?

    • Family Man says:

      It’s Paula’s attempt at being “green”. Re-use, Re-cycle …. I prefer re-place myself.

    • allcloggedup says:

      man shuddup…..Roban is morally upstanding…why do you think he resigned in the first place….when he realize the sharks had his azz for a mid morning snack, he did the honorable thing…..resign. Walter please don’t hesitate to bail out if you see the sewer backing up…..once bitten twice shy!

      • Finally says:

        What the hell is going on here in my country Bermuda!!!
        Don’t we have ELECTED officials who can do this job…….
        What are we saying here.. To many Yes man
        Please pay attention my fellow Bermudians!

        • pepper says:

          finally, under the P.L.P. We are doomed…the few exemt companies that are here are awaiting the outcome of the next election !!!!!!! I an still in shock that the @#$ %^&* Roban is back…

  2. More with less says:

    Really? This is just getting bizarre.

  3. Crystal Cave says:

    If they are re-assiging him back to this job then PLP is truly in trouble. Was there really nobody else??? Get the popcorn out, I’m going to enjoy watching the PLP self destruction show.

    • concerned says:

      Commissiong is unemployed/available – ahhhh not a good choice either… he can’t call anybody names or can he… OH WELL!

  4. Fish R Man says:

    WHAT A JOKE…Once one has resigned they should not be able to be involved in government at all from that point; especially given the circumstances of his resignation. Why did I buy a house?

  5. bermy dude says:

    WHAT A JOKE!! I ONLY HAVE ONE THING TO SAY, JOB FOR THE BOYS!! THATS ALL WHAT THIS GOVERNMENT IS ABOUT!!!

  6. Just got Cog-d says:

    We just got Cog-d

    ouch it hurt too

  7. cox must go says:

    Dear Premier Cox,

    Bad move please purchase a book on the game called Chess during your next trip overseas.

    That smile will be wiped off your face before Christmas this year guaranteed.

    Ironically, Minister Roban’s smile will also be erased by 31 December 2012.

    Cox Must Go

  8. letshaveit says:

    So PLP recycling???

  9. Joonya says:

    Are these guys playing a game or something?
    Great example PLP are setting. No wonder this island is so f&*ked up.

  10. Truth is killin' me... says:

    You just could not make this stuff up!!!!!!!

  11. Limey says:

    The merry-go-round of cabinet ministers continues. My favourite ride at the fair!!

  12. Sharon says:

    The only thing I can say, this does not bode well for the country. Very sad indeed.

  13. Um Um Like says:

    So when will ewart get back in?

    • LOL says:

      He never left…he’s just in the background pulling the puppet strings.

      • concerned says:

        Agreed!!

        • Cleancut says:

          The plan is when “straight shooter” Col. Burch returns and then takes her out, that’s when the Doc will make his move. comic book stuff!

  14. Bermywan says:

    So Bernews got a “Well I never” section I see….

  15. jt says:

    ??????????????

  16. Tired of it says:

    THIS GOVERNMENT IS A JOKKKKKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

  17. Julius Caesar. says:

    Let me have men around me who are fat. You Derrick hath a lean and hungry look.

    • sugra says:

      He thinks too much, such men are dangerous…?

      … nah, that’s a stretch.

  18. I'MNOTA CONSULTANT says:

    What is all the fuss about? Derric will be back as a high priced consultant.

  19. Confused says:

    So 7 months from now will Derrick Burgess have new portfolio?

  20. your joking says:

    In 3 years he has had 3 different positions…I’m hoping this one lasts no more than 6 months…call the dam election

  21. jack says:

    RABAN IS IN WITH THE INNER CIRCLE THAT IS THE ONLY REASON HE WAS PLACED THERE HE IS NOT THE SHARPEST KNIFE IN THE DRAW BUT THE GOG LIKES HIM THE GOG NEEDS TO STOP PAYING POLITICAL FAVORS ANN PLACE THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT POSTIONS FOR THE GOOD OF THE COUNTRY WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE SITTING ON THE BACK BENCH THIS A TEAM EFFORT WE NEED TO BE SURE WE HAVE THE BEST PEOPLE ON THE TEAM AT ALL TIMES

  22. lol says:

    Did that seriously just happen?

  23. navin johnson says:

    a dull knife in a cabinet of dull knives….what about Dale Butlet is he still paying the price for running against the Cog? or are they afraid he will dust off the sailor hat? how about making him in charge of Marine and Ports? what a comedy….

  24. serenity now says:

    Walter Henri Raban, is as about as sharp as a spoon.

    to see this man in Cabinet after resigning and stating he did not want to be a distraction. well, is this not a distraction? PLP looks like they are running a Banana Republic.

    this is truly an all new low.

  25. young1 says:

    Ms. Foggo is a far better pick than Roban evidently Madam Premier is choosing people based on friendship and not on their capabilities or intellect.

    • concerned says:

      Nope – she and Derrick arranged for speed bumps down in St. David’s, I went to visit a friend down that way – two bumps on one side and none on the other – traffic goes down the side that has no bumps and I drove right behind them.

    • pepper says:

      Ms foggo, was the one that went along with the plantation situation ( doc Brown supporter) so she is not a better pick…

  26. crazy says:

    lawd thats it OBA next time !!!!

  27. Zombie Apocalypse says:

    She has little choice. There are warring factions in the PLP.
    If she chooses badly, she gives more power to one of the anti-Cox groups, which she won’t do. She can’t give every single job to Wilson and Scott, so she has to include Roban, despite his miserable history and obvious lack of talent.

    • Rumandcoke says:

      So son of a slave accepts an invitation from Buckingham Palace for the Jubilee celebrations. Just how much did this cost the taxpayer for the travel expenses for the so called ‘Deputy Premier’ … yet now we learn there is no such position as Deputy Premier!

  28. Kim Smith says:

    There are no words. This man was proven to be of questionable integrity when he abused the power of his office to grant development application appeals for his colleagues in a way he thought he could ‘slip them in’… and now he is put back into a position of power and responsibility? What is wrong with us?

    • LOL says:

      “What is wrong with us?”

      it will take a few hours to answer that one…

    • pepper says:

      Kim,it goes to show us how desperate the cog is ….this so called man has a history of misconduct and she puts him back in her government !!!!!!!!! what the hell was she thinking ?

  29. media says:

    The choice is very telling. Right now she is shoring up her side for the election, with Mr Roban at least she knows she can trust him. Ms. Foggo is in the other camp along others mentioned above. There are a whole lot of PLP MP’s that are not happy with her as leader, so she only had a few to pick from, as is somewhat evident in her selection. Derrick is not the only one within the party who wants to see someone else lead the PLP Government. Hard to retain a sense of unity with all that going on behind the scenes, but it has happened before where for the sake of winning they all come together. Their only hope of winning is because of a weak opposition.

    • Deja vu all over again says:

      +=Their only hope of winning is because of a weak opposition.=+

      And an electorate who would rather see the island sink than their ‘team’ loose ‘de powa’

      ps, welcome back ”BUD” , gotta get a fresh bunch of them green ties and shirts for all the press releases , eh ?

  30. Truth is killin' me... says:

    Dreamers…the lot of them!!!

  31. Yng Black Mind says:

    Not my first choice, but she didn’t have a “depth” of choices to start with, did she?

    I don’t think he is completely useless – - but time will tell.

    Yng Black Mind
    (those who know understand)

  32. Pastor Syl says:

    LaVerne!! Betty Trump!! Maddog!! Helloooo!! Where are you? Please explain this to us. How do you justify reinstating Mr. Roban to a Ministerial office after he resigned in disgrace for abusing the power of his previous office? More to the point, how do you get away with it?

    We need a new system of government and we need it PDQ!! One in which we the people have an input, not just at election but throughout our voting lives. Right now, I really feel like one of the “sheeple,” as some verbal wag termed the ordinary folk. We can shake our heads, and mutter and complain, but it makes no difference to what actually happens on the Hill. We are helpless, hopeless and powerless. I don’t like it at all.

    Now I think of it, didn’t the OBA promise something about providing the public with the means to sack a politician who is not performing up to standard? Must go back and read that again. For that alone, I would vote for them.

  33. We care says:

    When I look at this appointment I just wish that the Darren Johston’s, Patrick Tannocks, Gil Tucker’s, Shawn Morris’s and Ronald Simmons’s etc. of Bermuda would please step up and get involved! There is a shortage of talent in the current mix for the Premier to choose from and you all have so much to offer the country, especially in these challenging times!

    • Zombie Apocalypse says:

      I’d love to see that. They’re people I trust.

    • Floats says:

      But why would they? many earn huge salaries in business, and they would have to associate with these fools.

  34. @ We Care…I’m rubbing my magic lamp as we speak. Those guys need to come off the bench. The PLP’s line-up is tired and injured.

  35. M.P.Mountbatten JP says:

    Well ah duh dats all folks … He say’s with a mouthful of jawbreakers . I just love to hear dude talk .

  36. Floats says:

    Congratulations Paula. You have appointed a bone fide idiot to the cabinet. Ok, I am not a PLP fan, but are there any left? – you might not vote OBA, but CAN YOU REALLY BRING YOURSELF TO VOTE FOR THESE CLOWNS?

    • pepper says:

      I wonder what our new Governor thinks about all of this crap ? I agree they are all clowns that are reaping in the money,,,,, and for some reason they get away with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! when the hell will it stop ?

  37. This should prove to everyone that the PLP is a flip flop party! They recycle their bad boy MPs thru all the ministries with no long lasting reprimand. You can do what you want within that party and the only punishment given is “take a six month break then I’ll bring you back!” People of Bermuda is this the kind of leader and government that you want?? This madness has to stop. It’s still business as usual in the flip flop party – Brown or no Brown – Paula is just as bad! If we thought it couldn’t get any worse it just did. People of Bermuda you need to wake up!!!!! OBA please come to our rescue dammit…

  38. Opressed says:

    Is Paula really disguised as Nurse Ratched???

  39. second says:

    Who is running this island??? The happenings of the last couple of weeks, in particular, do not smell good. “I AM BACK!” Lord help us!!!

  40. Derika Burjezz says:

    We are shuffling the deck chairs on the titanic but this time there are no life boats!

  41. Second worse Premier ever… Actually I think it’s a tie.

  42. Really? says:

    THERES NO HOPE… PLP you will never understand politics will you? or do you really have such few people in your party willing to get involved? Do you honestly think apart from maybe the Roban family the public would respect, back or even applaud a move to have a previously resigned MP “who i might add resigned because the public wished his resignation” Do you really think we will support you?

    For a while i honestly felt Paula Cox had a brain on her shoulders it is clear now that she is to focused on TRANSPARENCY

  43. Withheld says:

    Suggestion to OBA: the supporters of the PLP seem to have short term memory issues. Please start making a list of all their poor decisions (ie. this one here) their questionable practices (ie. tenders and planning approvals) etc etc so when election time comes – you can present a long list of items that will jog their memories of why they need change.
    Now my next statement is not meant to insult anyone on either side – but politicians have a tendency to use big words and end up confusing those that may not have benefited with a post-sec education: so try and keep it simple as possible.
    I used to have a list of the previous leader’s “controversies” and when I used to show it to people – they were rendered speechless. It’s sad how much we forget and how quickly.