Cabinet Orders Comprehensive Audit of All Government Vehicles Amid Revenue Oversight Review

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda, chaired by Prime Minister Gaston Browne, has mandated sweeping measures to tighten oversight and strengthen accountability within government operations, particularly regarding the purchase and use of official vehicles.

During its most recent meeting, Cabinet held detailed discussions on the need to enhance control measures and improve the framework governing revenue collections. The talks followed revelations of unauthorized vehicle purchases within certain departments.

As part of the decisions taken, Cabinet has directed the Ministry of Finance, through the Financial Secretary, to review all related information concerning these unauthorized acquisitions. Where it is found that irregularities occurred or excess payments were made, the Ministry is to negotiate restitution and ensure full settlement of those sums.

Furthermore, Cabinet has ordered that all central government ministries, departments, statutory bodies, and state-owned companies submit every vehicle purchased, owned, or assigned to their custody for a full audit and inspection by the Government Motor Pool. The Ministry of Works and Transportation will announce the date for this audit exercise.

Reaffirming its policy on transparency and uniformity, Cabinet has also ruled that all government-purchased vehicles used in the execution of official duties must bear the appropriate and approved government licence plates.

However, exemptions will apply to specific offices, including Parliamentarians, Judges, Magistrates, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Supervisor of Elections, the Commissioner of Police, and the Chief of Defence Staff. Any additional exemptions must be expressly authorized in writing.

The new directive underscores the Browne administration’s commitment to tightening fiscal discipline, enforcing proper asset management, and ensuring that public resources are used strictly for their intended purposes.