Government getting tough on use of official vehicles
BVI News Online - Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Public servants currently driving government vehicles will now have the option to purchase those vehicles as the Government implements another cost-cutting measure.
Come July 1, Premier Hon. Ralph T. O’Neal announced that there will be big changes in the manner in which government vehicles are being used, especially as it relates to personal use.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday morning, O’Neal said that should a public servant choose not to purchase the vehicle at market value by way of loan or monthly payments deducted from their salary, it will be sold.
According to the BVI leader, there are approximately 26 Government-owned vehicles valued at an estimated market value of $250,000, and the servicing and gasoline of which he said costs Government some $57,538.00.
O’Neal explained that the public should no longer see Government vehicles on the roads outside normal working hours. He also mentioned that a Motor Vehicle Procurement and Use Policy was approved by Cabinet and this he explained will stipulate more stringent enforcement as it relates to the misuse of official vehicles.
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14 Comments
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Tiz all dem expensive rides yuh see on the weekends wid dem pickney…mehson this govt. vehicle thing out a control. Police, customs water an sewerage fire an rescue ambulance and so should be the only vehicle on the road after hours. an why we have messengers driving them big tahoes? a suzuki could carry a letter too. i dont see why these departmens need to have 30 and 40,000 cars when a 15,000 daihatsu can carry the same thing. get rid of all dem big gas guzzling cars. police need them big rides for when they have to do raids and stop and search where they have to have the personnel. Stop wasting unnecessary monies.
Start with the famous PS first……… lol……..
It Seems that O'Neal have to go back to school and learn how to count, because if they only have 26 ,than the question is ? How a bout the rest of the Cars and Trucks thats driving arround 24/7 with Goverment plates belonge to ,
So i'm guessing these are the 26 “personal” gov't owned vehicles that you see out at all hours of the night. This should be interesting…..
YEA I SAW A PARTICULAR HRM DRIVING A PAJARO MONTERO ON HER LUNCH HOUR WHILE WHILE SHE SHUDA BEEN DRIVING HER OWN!!!!!GOV GAS WASTING HUH……
Hi Vader!
Nice to see you again. Good question Vader. Why have they not seen fit to cut their own allowances in a lead by example way? For God sakes, other Caribbean leaders facing the same worldwide economic downturn have seen it fit to cut their own allowances and salaries to help rein in government expenditures. But I am not surprise by this. That's so typical of politicians. They are always ready to make every citizens pay a price when money runs low, but they quite often don't wish to see their salaries, allowances, and perks scaled back. Indeed, some even would extend their benefits while cutting back those for others.
While I welcome this development, as I believe in fiscal restraint, the other question that runs thru my mind is: what took them this long to address this issue? The global economic downturn did not show up on B.V.I shores yesterday. It has been occurring for some time now, and this government seems to have ignored the warning signs and kept on spending even when it least could affford to. Now that they have finally looked into the treasury cupboard and see with their own two eyes that there are only a few dollars left, they have finally found religion, and now want to cut back on things they probably would not have needed to cut back had they addressed the matter more timely. Anyway, better late than never.
It has always amazed me to see government vehicles being used for personal use. This has been a practice for years and a source of wastful government spending. When the cost of the wear and tear from inappropriate and personal use, and fuel for these vehicles is tallied, I am sure as the numbers bear out that money could have been saved eons ago with the implementation of a vehicular use policy. Folks sometimes act like money is no object here in the B.V.I. This decision again is long past due.
Anyway Vader, keep an eye out if I am not around. Will catch you around. Hope all is well with you and your family otherwise.
Only 26 gov't vehicles…looking at the thoses big suvs they gotta be worth more than 250k. What about the WAPA truck I saw a few sundays ago unloading the family at the beach…
Wow
i totally agree, it's bout time. This is indeed a great step towards cost cutting.
Hi Ray, long time…listen, the government officials keep talking about cutting costs which by the way I have no problems with but why are they not talking about cutting their allowances. They beating round the bush on that particular allowances issue and looking into every dark hole to see where they can cut from when their allowances are some of the highest in govenment spending.
lol
Ditto!
26 government vehicles? ha ha ha!
About Time!
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