Too many gov’t vehicles in circulation
Political commentator Claude Skelton Cline has called for an immediate halt to government vehicle purchases, arguing that the territory can no longer afford the growing cost of maintaining what he described as an oversized fleet during a period of economic uncertainty.
Speaking recently on his Honestly Speaking talk show, Skelton Cline said the BVI needs to become more disciplined with public spending, warning that the government is not adequately prepared for the economic challenges ahead.
“If y’all want to put me in charge of something, I will call for a complete moratorium on government buying any more vehicles,” he declared.
Skelton Cline questioned why government vehicles appear to be “everywhere” throughout the day and night, saying he regularly sees them parked outside grocery stores, rum shops and other locations across the territory.
“I am seeing all kinds of government vehicles everywhere, every time of the day, by the grocery store, by the rum shop, any hours of the night. I don’t know why we are buying so many vehicles,” he said.
According to the controversial commentator and clergyman, the financial burden extends far beyond the initial purchase price. He argued that taxpayers are also responsible for the ongoing costs of fuelling, servicing and repairing the vehicles, creating an expense that continues long after they are bought.
“It’s the maintenance cost, it’s the fuel costs. How do we think that this is sustainable?” he asked.
Skelton Cline also pointed to the large number of government vehicles parked at the former Central Administration Complex, saying their presence raises further questions about whether the fleet is being used efficiently.
“We’re not in the best of times right now,” he said.
The outspoken commentator urged residents to support his call for stricter oversight of the government’s vehicle fleet, including an enforceable system to ensure public vehicles are used only for official purposes. His comments come as successive governments have faced increasing public scrutiny over spending priorities, with residents repeatedly calling for tighter control of public finances and greater accountability in the use of taxpayer-funded assets amid ongoing concerns about the territory’s fiscal outlook.
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What else, CSC? Don’t you and your wife have 1 each? Sell one and be the example.
Mr Premier give CSC a do . Now that Willock got his its time for CSC to get a taste. And since he no longer has any allegience to the NDP because of their misstep now would be a good time. CSC could head a Government austerity program to reduce waste, The BVI version of DOGE but hopefully more successful than the original. This man been talking alot of sense lately its time to let him put those words into action.
CSC is hurting . He needs a do.
Spot on with this comment!
Seems like half the island uses a government vehicle as their primary transport.
We could also take exception to the territory buying super-expensive models too. Why are my taxes supporting someone else driving a Rover or an Acura, or a Lexus? Buy 3 Suzukis for the same price tag!!!
And make them all be the same model so we can bulk buy spare parts and use them interchangeably.
2 parking spaces just for Premier487 says a lot.
Csc why don’t you and your wife try buying a deserted island and start you all own breed so you can control everything because everything is a problem for you jackdonkey.
A Much as i dislike CSC, he is right about this topic
Govt spending on cars and trucks is incredible. Lets see the numbers !!!
First of all too many in all departments.
Second they are not cheap little cars, but expensive models.
Third i see daily govt cars being used for personal transport, also at night.
many are used to go to work from home every day, why are the tax payers footing that bill.
i see several pick ups that are sitting 90 % of the time as there is no official business for them.
there is no transparency in govt…..
Curse him on the issues, but no identity politics and going at the man’s wife.
He is a real opportunist and real Detroit man where they are very conning, I can say that trait in him is alien to the BVI, so Claude need to get back to being a BVI native and stop all this honky yanking language he is doing.
You could say same for many politicians around here.
The drivers thinking because it’s a government vehicle, they can drive how they want, park where they want, then they get very rude and disrespectful when ask to obey rules ..
Government vehicles are frequently used for unofficial purposes in developed and developing countries. To prevent the abuse, government need to immediately institute hard freeze on vehicle purchases, or at least a soft freeze. Additionally, it must put in place a policy on vehicle allowance per department. It must put a strong, no nonsense policy on the use of government vehicles for official purposes only. It must establish criteria and purpose for work-to- home vehicle use. There must be consequences for violation of vehicle operation and use.
Why not get rid of most government cars and pay government workers to use their own cars and pay them per mile of use for government business. Much cheap and prevents abuse of current government cars.
@ VG Resident, I agree partially with your suggestion of giving civil servants a car allowance. In some other locales, car allowance is given to for example Department heads and assistant department heads, division directors, etc. In the case of the BVI , a car allowance can be appropriated for Premier, Deputy Premier, Minister, Junior Ministers, Permanent Secretaries , department heads, assistant department heads, division directors, etc. As needed, others can be paid mileage for using their personal vehicles for conducting government business. Further, Public works can operate a vehicle pool where government employees can check vehicles as needed. The department will be charge for the use of the vehicle, ie, hourly, daily , weekly, etc.