Opposition MP, Jone Usamate is raising serious concerns about the manner in which government vehicles are used and how they are being driven on our roads, without following the road rules, speeding, overtaking and rotating flashing lights being used in vehicles during non-emergency periods.

Usamate says this is putting the lives of road users at risk, and is against the laws.

He says what is of a major concern is the number of government vehicles garaged at private residences and at community police posts, daily and over the weekends.

Usamate says the Government’s Transport Policy is quite clear on the garaging of vehicles, yet no one appears to take notice, opening the doors to abuse.

He says according to policy, the drivers shall park vehicles at the agency’s official garage or carpark at the end of each business day and at weekends, except in special cases where prior authorization had been granted.

Usamate says one only has to travel on our roads to towns during peak periods of the morning to notice the number of government vehicles making their way from homes to their respective offices, picking up officials along the way.

The Opposition MP says the policy states that only Permanent Secretaries are entitled to government vehicles.

Usamate stresses that these practices must stop as they can be a huge drain on public resources.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad stresses there are strict policies on the use of government vehicles by civil servants and the Ministry of Finance will not tolerate abuse.

He says Opposition MP, Jone Usamate is right in raising the issue about abuse of government vehicles.

Professor Prasad says the Ministry sent a circular to all civil servants and Permanent Secretaries to ensure that there is no vehicle abuse.

In the circular sent out at the end of July, Permanent Secretary for Finance, Shiri Gounder says they have received a number of complaints on the misuse of government vehicles.

Gounder stresses the use of vehicles must be for official Government purpose only and any detour or journeys for private purposes is prohibited; an official vehicle pass shall be obtained daily from the transport officer for the use of government vehicles beyond normal working hours, and the driver shall transport only those officers whose names are listed in the official vehicle pass.

All officers, driving government vehicles must have a current and valid driving licence, defensive driving certificate and should have a written authority from the Permanent Secretaries/ Heads of departments to drive government vehicles.

The Permanent Secretary says government drivers are expected to set examples and must adhere to road rules and instructions and respect other road users and not abuse their positions while driving; reports on misuse and abuse of government vehicles must be properly dealt with and reports should be submitted to the Government Fleet Management Unit within the specified timeline of 10 working days; LTA Infringements and other fines are to be cleared by the officer responsible within the given timelines to avoid non- renewal and transfer of vehicles; vehicle speed and idle report need to be noted and addressed with immediate effect; Ministerial/Departmental officers in charge of transport should ensure that their vehicle running sheets are properly completed and signed, and necessary investigative action instituted if circumstances warrant, and garaging of vehicles at home is prohibited unless approved in writing by the Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Departments.

He says while leased vehicles are being considered to improve service delivery, they have also noted the high number of accidents, very high mileage and related costs over the past few years.

Heads of Departments are therefore urged to closely monitor leased vehicles usage and are encouraged to rotate vehicles within or with other Ministries with low mileage usage to avoid additional cost to Government.

Gounder says officers below Permanent Secretary level are not allowed to be picked up and or/dropped off home during normal working hours except for those working overtime or in urgent and priority work assigned with prior approval of the Permanent Secretary; Government Ministries and Department drivers and officers disregarding the instructions and other standard guidelines issued through other Finance and Ministry of Civil Service/PSC Circular, Vehicle Policy and Road Rules and regulations will be subject to disciplinary action.

He says drivers are also reminded that members of the public are also watching and will report on abuse and non-compliance with road or driving rules they witness.