Gov’t vehicle costs under scrutiny as Premier defends policy

Among the vehicles reportedly purchased by the Dr Wheatley administration is a Audi Q5 Sportback. (Photo representational)

The cost of government vehicles has come under renewed scrutiny after Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn questioned nearly half a million dollars in spending over the past two years.

During Tuesday’s House of Assembly sitting, Walwyn pressed Premier Natalio Wheatley for a detailed breakdown of government vehicle costs, maintenance, and fuel expenses. He calculated that spending on vehicles, gas, and maintenance totalled around $488,000 for the period.

“Can the Premier confirm then from my mathematics that in vehicle costs for your government over here, including maintenance and gas, you spent $488,000 in the last two years?” Walwyn asked.

Premier Wheatley provided figures showing maintenance costs of $42,555.72 and gas expenditure of $23,751.53. He also read out the purchase prices of several vehicles used by government officials, including a 2019 Cadillac Escalade at $115,000, a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee for $52,900, a 2019 Great Wall Haval 9 for $41,500, and a 2024 Great Wall Haval 86 GT for $29,900.

Vehicles for various ministries included an Audi Q5 Sportsback purchased in 2023 for $55,995, a Toyota 4Runner for $42,500, and a Honda Pilot for $37,500.

Walwyn questioned why government officials could not use their own vehicles, given the current economic challenges facing residents.

“Why is it that the taxpayers have to… with all the challenges that people are having and the hardship, why is it that you couldn’t drive your own vehicles to work? Don’t you all have vehicles?” he asked.

Premier Wheatley replied that the existing policy was in place before he took office and suggested that access to vehicles was a practical part of government roles.

“This was a policy that I met when I came to government, but it’s something that we can review,” he said. “Certain jobs, there are certain accoutrements, so to speak, that comes along with the job. And in my view, there’s nothing wrong with it”.

No formal commitment was given to revise the policy, though the Premier noted it was open to review. The exchange comes amid ongoing public concern about government spending, with recent debates also highlighting travel costs and budget overruns.