Gov’t denies new official car purchase

The government has denied media reports that a new official car costing $13 million is being purchased for the Prime Minister, Bruce Golding.



A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) said a contract in the amount of

US$64,400 or $5.4 million was approved by the National Contracts Commission on December 10 last year for the purchase of a new official vehicle.



However, the OPM said Mr. Golding gave instructions for the order to be cancelled as he considered it important to set an example, given the need to use every possible means to reduce expenditure and contain the fiscal deficit.



Mr. Golding has also given instructions that there should be no expenditure on official vehicles or official residences for government ministers during this year except for essential maintenance.



The OPM said the current vehicle being used by the Prime Minister is 16 years old.



It was purchased shortly after P.J. Patterson became Prime Minister in 1992.



The OPM is also reporting that the current vehicle has broken down on four occasions while conveying Mr. Golding and a decision was made for it to be replaced.



However, the OPM said the Prime Minister would continue to use the existing vehicle.