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    Ehsan Danish

    The Honourable
    Walter Roban
    JP
    11th Deputy Premier of Bermuda
    In office
    19 July 2017 – 25 February 2025
    Monarchs
    PremierEdward David Burt
    Governor
    Preceded byEverard T. (Bob) Richards
    Succeeded byZane DeSilva
    Deputy Leader of the Progressive Labour Party
    In office
    7 November 2016 – 18 February 2025
    LeaderEdward David Burt
    Preceded byEdward David Burt
    Succeeded byZane De Silva
    Minister of Home Affairs
    In office
    1 November 2018 – 25 February 2025
    PremierEdward David Burt
    Preceded byWalton Brown
    Succeeded byAlexa Lightbourne
    Further information
    Minister of Transport and Regulatory Affairs
    In office
    19 July 2017 – 1 November 2018
    PremierEdward David Burt
    Preceded byMichael Fahy
    Succeeded byZane DeSilva
    Minister of Public Works
    In office
    2 November 2011 – 17 November 2011
    PremierPaula Cox
    Preceded byDerrick Burgess
    Succeeded byMichael Weeks
    Minister of the Environment, Planning, and Infrastructure Strategy
    In office
    1 November 2010 – 2 November 2011
    PremierPaula Cox
    Preceded byGlenn Blakeney
    Succeeded byMarc Bean
    Minister of Health
    In office
    4 September 2009 – 1 November 2010
    PremierEwart Brown
    Preceded byNelson Bascome
    Succeeded byZane DeSilva
    Minister without Portfolio
    In office
    23 June 2009 – 4 September 2009
    PremierEwart Brown
    Preceded byWalter Lister
    Succeeded byZane DeSilva
    Junior Minister for Labour, Home Affairs and Housing
    In office
    20 December 2007 – 23 June 2009
    PremierEwart Brown
    Shadow Minister of National Security
    In office
    10 November 2016 – 18 July 2017
    LeaderEdward David Burt
    Preceded byMichael Dunkley
    Succeeded byJeff Baron
    Shadow Minister of Home Affairs
    In office
    3 December 2015 – 10 December 2016
    LeaderMarc Bean
    Succeeded byWalton Brown
    Shadow Minister of Public Safety
    In office
    30 April 2014 – 3 December 2015
    LeaderMarc Bean
    Preceded byMichael Scott
    Member of the Parliament of Bermuda for Pembroke East
    In office
    18 December 2007 – 18 February 2025
    Preceded byOttiwell Simmons
    Succeeded byOwen Darrell
    Member of the Senate of Bermuda
    In office
    30 July 2003 – 27 October 2006
    Appointed byAlex Scott
    General Secretary of the Progressive Labour Party
    In office
    14 November 1995 – 30 August 1999
    LeaderJennifer M. Smith
    Preceded byLaVerne Furbert
    Succeeded byNeville Tyrell
    Personal details
    Born
    Political partyProgressive Labour Party
    SpouseNadine Francis (m. 2018)
    Children1
    Education
    Alma mater
    Websitewalterroban.com

    Walter Henri Roban (born 13 August 1966) is a former Bermudian politician who served as the 11th Deputy Premier of Bermuda. He retired in February 2025, having served concurrently as Minister of Home Affairs. Roban was Deputy Leader of the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) from November 2016 to February 2025.

    Early life and education

    Roban was born in Bermuda to Matthew Roban, originally from St. Vincent and the Grenadines[1] and Charlotte Powell (nee Pavy) of Bermuda.[1] He attended Mount Saint Agnes Academy and graduated from Robert Crawford High School.[1] His interest in Civics, Social Studies, and History developed under educator Dale Butler, who brought Caribbean and African history to life for him.[1][2]

    After finiishing secondary school in Bermuda, Roban attended Fryeburg Academy in Maine, United States. Returning home to Bermuda, he briefly attended Bermuda College. He earned a bachelor's degree in Business and International Studies from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia and a master's degree in International Studies from the University of Birmingham, UK, focusing on international politics and foreign policy analysis.[3]

    Professionally, Roban worked as a paralegal researcher at the law firm Milligan-Whyte & Smith, and in banking roles at HSBC and Bank of Bermuda.[1][3][4]

    During his time in Atlanta, he worked on Maynard Jackson’s 1989 mayoral campaign, giving him the opportunity to witness the 1988 Democratic National Convention, where Jesse Jackson campaigned for the presidency.[2][5] This had a huge impact on the future minister.[2] It was during this election that Roban met several leaders of the PLP, an experience that influenced his decision to return to Bermuda and engage in local politics.[2]

    Early political involvement

    Roban joined the Progressive Labour Party in the late 1980s, serving as chairman of its youth wing, Progressive Youth (1991-1993) and General Secretary of the PLP (1995-1999).[6][3][7]

    He contributed to policy development and served as an aide to opposition leader L. Frederick Wade.[3] He served on the PLP Campaign Committee in 1993 on the Public Relations Team and later as Deputy Chair of the PLP Campaign Committee between 1996 and 1998. Following the PLP General Election victory in 1998, Roban also chaired Bermuda’s Ports Authority from 1998 to 1999. He served again as Ports Authority Chair from 2000 to 2003[8]

    Parliamentary roles

    Appointed to the Senate in 2003, Roban served until 2006, overseeing legislation establishing the Bermuda Health Council and introducing mental health reforms.[6][3][9][10] He was elected to the House of Assembly for Pembroke East Central in 2007 and held junior ministerial roles, including Tourism & Transport, Health & Family Services, and Education & Development.[6][11][12][3]

    Roban joined the cabinet in 2009 as Minister Without Portfolio with responsibility for Municipal Reform.[3] He later held portfolios including Health, the Environment, Planning, Infrastructure, and briefly, Public Works.[3][11] In 2012, he served as Minister of Transport, introducing GPS systems for taxis.[3][13][14]

    After serving as Shadow Minister (2012 to 2017), Roban was appointed Deputy Leader of the PLP IN November 2016.[6][3][15] He became Deputy Premier following the PLP's victory in 2017, subsequently overseeing Transport, Regulatory Affairs, and Home Affairs portfolios.[3][6]

    Controversies

    Roban resigned briefly from cabinet in 2011 after overturning two planning decisions involving PLP colleagues, related to protected environmental and agricultural lands.[16] These decisions were reversed by his successor.[17]

    In 2023, Roban faced criticism for similarly overturning planning refusals related to developments near Devonshire Marsh, against professional recommendations.[16][17]

    Roban publicly clashed with the Bermuda Electric Light Company (BELCO) and the Regulatory Authority over pollution issues and electricity rate increases in 2023, threatening legal action against the Regulatory Authority.[18][19].[20]

    Environmental initiatives

    As Minister of Home Affairs, Roban initiated the conversion of Bermuda’s bus fleet from internal combustion engine to electric vehicles.[21]

    As Minister of the Environment (2010), Roban supported the creation of the Sargasso Sea Commission, an advisory body established to develop conservation methods for the Sargasso Sea in 2014.[22] He led Bermuda's "Blue Prosperity Plan" (2019), establishing Marine Protected Areas covering 20% of the island's waters..[23][24][25] He represented Bermuda internationally, advocating renewable energy and climate resilience, including at COP26 and the United Nations Ocean Conference.[26][27][28]

    Roban received the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum's "Renewable Energy Leader MVP" award in 2021.[3] He was selected to be the inaugural chair of The Blue Prosperity Leader’s Forum, leading Bermuda, the Maldives, the Azores, Vanuatu and the Federated States of Micronesia from 2022 to 2024.[29]

    Retirement

    Roban announced in July 2024 he would retire from politics at the end of his term.[30] One of his final actions as Minister of Home Affairs was signing a land lease agreement with Google in February 2025 for a subsea cable project connecting Bermuda, Portugal, and the United States.[31]

    References

    1. ^ a b c d e "Roban: Happy to Work in the Shadows". The Royal Gazette. 8 December 1998.
    2. ^ a b c d Cooper, Annabel (11 January 2024). "Bermudian of the Year: The Hon. Walter Roban". The Bermudian.
    3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "CaribESG 2022". New Energy Events.
    4. ^ Taylor, Matthew (30 August 2007). "Roban to Fight Pembroke East for PLP". The Royal Gazette.
    5. ^ Taylor, Matthew (24 March 2008). ""I am a Product in Development at all Times"". The Royal Gazette.
    6. ^ a b c d e Hendrickson, Sekou (2 July 2024). "Walter Roban to Retire from Politics". The Royal Gazette.
    7. ^ "Cox and Smith Return to their Top PLP Posts". The Royal Gazette. 24 October 1998.
    8. ^ Stark, Deidre (24 December 1998). "Brown's Remarks Slammed by Taxi Industry". The Royal Gazette.
    9. ^ Johnson, Ayo (15 July 2004). "Health Council Bill Passes". The Royal Gazette.
    10. ^ Ian Pearman, Mikaela (11 June 2010). "New Mental Health Strategy Launched". The Royal Gazette.
    11. ^ a b "Walter Roban has had a Steady Rise Within the PLP". The Royal Gazette. 8 June 2025.
    12. ^ Smith, Tim (3 March 2010). "Pembroke East is a Longtime Progressive Labour Party Stronghold". The Royal Gazette.
    13. ^ Smith, Tim (7 June 2012). "Walter Roban Sworn in as Transport Minister". The Royal Gazette.
    14. ^ Zuill, Rebecca (16 November 2012). ""With Success Comes Some Challenges"". The Royal Gazette.
    15. ^ Lagan, Sarah (8 November 2016). "Burt Named New Leader of the PLP". The Royal Gazette.
    16. ^ a b "Why is Deputy Premier Roban on an offensive to override planning decisions again and again?". One Bermuda Alliance. 11 January 2024.
    17. ^ a b "Statement from Shadow Home Affairs Minister, Scott Pearman, JP, MP concerning the Hon Walter Roban". One Bermuda Alliance. 3 April 2023.
    18. ^ Lagan, Sarah (5 July 2023). "Emissions control order against Belco in motion". The Royal Gazette.
    19. ^ Finighan, Gareth (7 October 2023). "Roban grills RA on Belco price hike". The Royal Gazette.
    20. ^ Bell, Jonathan; Finighan, Gareth. "Roban threatens to sue RA over electricity price hike". The Royal Gazette.
    21. ^ Johnston, Paul (15 Nov 2018). "Government Eyes Electric Bus Fleet". The Royal Gazette.
    22. ^ "New appointments to sargasso sea commission for ocean conservation". International Waters Learning Exchange & Resource Network.
    23. ^ Solomon, Alva. "Roban: Bermuda and Azores Share 'Deep Connection'". The Royal Gazette.
    24. ^ "Bermuda's Blue Prosperity Plan" (PDF). Bermuda's Blue Prosperity Plan.
    25. ^ Lagan, Sarah (5 June 2019). "Marine sanctuary planned for island". The Royal Gazette.
    26. ^ Connolly, Shaun (27 June 2022). "Minister to promote island's 'leading role in creating a blue economy'". The Royal Gazette.
    27. ^ Lagan, Sarah (7 July 2022). "Minister showcases Bermuda's blue economy at international conference". The Royal Gazette.
    28. ^ Brewin, Craig (3 November 2021). "Climate Change: The Overseas Territories at COP26". Friends of the British Overseas Territories.
    29. ^ "Minister Roban Appointed Inaugural Chair of the Blue Prosperity Leaders Forum". Government of Bermuda. 5 Sep 2022.
    30. ^ Bell, Jonathan. "Owen Darrell is the chosen one in Pembroke East". The Royal Gazette.
    31. ^ Finighan, Gareth (13 February 2025). "Government signs on dotted line with Google". The Royal Gazette.


    Credit: Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Roban

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