Minister Daryl Vaz Slams Gleaner’s “Reckless and False” Report on School Bus Import Controversy
July 13, 2025 | Jamaica Live News Desk
Kingston, Jamaica — Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, the Hon. Daryl Vaz, MP, has issued a firm rebuttal to a recent article published by the Jamaica Gleaner, which suggested that his Ministry permitted a breach of the government’s motor vehicle importation policy.
The controversy centers on Elhydro Limited, the company contracted by the Jamaican Government to import 110 used school buses under a $1.4 billion initiative. The Gleaner reported on Sunday that the company was not certified by the Trade Board, and that the buses were imported without the required pre-shipment inspection certificates, which are mandated under the 2014 Motor Vehicle Import Policy.
In a strongly worded statement, Minister Vaz labeled the Gleaner’s reporting as “false, disingenuous, and reckless”, asserting that his Ministry had no role in granting import licenses or processing inspections.
“The Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport is not responsible for issuing import certifications or enforcing the Motor Vehicle Import Policy. Those functions fall under the Trade Board, which operates under the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce,” Minister Vaz clarified.
He further cautioned the media to be responsible in its reporting and not to mislead the public by conflating the roles of government entities or implying wrongdoing without evidence.
“It is highly irresponsible to misrepresent the facts and then cast aspersions on a Ministry that has absolutely no regulatory authority over the matters cited,” Vaz stated. “This kind of journalism undermines public confidence and distracts from the serious work of national development.”
The Trade Board has confirmed that Elhydro Limited is not a certified motor vehicle importer, and that pre-shipment inspections were not presented at the time of importation. However, this regulatory lapse, according to Vaz, falls outside the jurisdiction of his Ministry.
Minister Vaz is calling on the Jamaica Gleaner to issue a public correction, stating that the misinformation has the potential to erode trust in public institutions and mislead the Jamaican people.
This development has triggered public concern among PNP voters regarding procurement practices, inter-ministerial coordination, and the integrity of significant public contracts. Nevertheless, Minister Vaz has asserted that his Ministry has fully adhered to the law and is unwavering in its commitment to transparency, accountability, and proper governance in all operations.
The cost of the buses purchased by the ministry ranges from US $10,000 to US $20,000. Minister Vaz stated that the $1.4 billion expenditure includes more than just the cost of the individual buses from the US.
According to Vaz, there have been over 10,000 student riderships recorded in Portland over the past nine weeks, utilizing one Rural School Bus in the parish. This initiative is one to which I have been ardently devoted since 2014, and I have ensured that tangible actions are taken to support it.
Jamaica Live will continue to monitor this story as it unfolds.