The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has unveiled a comprehensive government vehicle policy, set to be implemented within the next 14 days. This initiative aims to strengthen oversight over the use, allocation, and disposal of government-owned vehicles, marking a significant step toward improving fiscal responsibility and transparency.
Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, revealed the details during a post-Cabinet briefing on Thursday. He emphasized that the policy is a direct response to findings from a recent audit, which uncovered unauthorized vehicle purchases and mismanagement within the government fleet.
Under the new regulations, government vehicles will be allocated strictly based on official duties, with usage confined to authorized government business. Passengers must also be on official duty unless prior approval is granted or in emergency situations. Additionally, all vehicles must be parked at designated government locations after daily operations. Vehicles deemed unsuitable for use or exceeding five years of service will be disposed of through public auctions, in compliance with state asset disposal laws.
To ensure accountability, an advisory committee will be established to oversee vehicle allocation and usage across ministries and departments. Merchant also confirmed that vehicles purchased without Cabinet authorization will be auctioned to recover public funds. This decision follows an ongoing review by the Financial Secretary, which exposed irregularities in vehicle procurement.
The policy rollout comes on the heels of the government’s recent success in recovering EC$10 million from a dealership involved in unauthorized vehicle transactions. This move underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing financial mismanagement and safeguarding public resources.
By introducing these measures, the government aims to streamline its vehicle fleet, reduce unnecessary expenditures, and foster greater public trust in its operations.