Unassigned Government Vehicles to Be Sold at Public Auction Following Audit

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has announced that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda will dispose of all excess or improperly assigned vehicles through a public auction once the ongoing government vehicle audit and reassignment exercise are completed.

Browne said the measure forms part of the administration’s broader effort to “right-size” the government’s vehicle fleet, restore accountability, and eliminate misuse of public assets.

“After the audit and reassignments are done, any excess vehicles that were not properly assigned will be sold at public auction,” the Prime Minister confirmed.

The announcement follows public scrutiny over what has become known as the “vehicle scandal”, involving the alleged unauthorized purchase and allocation of government vehicles by certain departments and state entities.

The controversy, which erupted earlier this year, has triggered resignations, internal transfers, and an ongoing criminal investigation.

The scandal first came to light after revelations that several high-end vehicles were purchased under questionable duty-free concessions without the required Cabinet or ministerial authorization.

The Customs Department, Ministry of Works, and Transport Board were among the agencies drawn into the probe, as investigators sought to determine how multiple vehicles were registered under individuals and government departments without proper documentation.

The situation escalated when Comptroller of Customs Raju Boddu resigned amid mounting pressure and accusations that his office validated certain warrants without the necessary approval from the Minister of Finance.

Prime Minister Browne, who also holds the finance portfolio, has since emphasized that only his office can authorize such concessions under the centralised policy introduced two years ago.

In recent weeks, one of the implicated dealerships, Harney Motors, reportedly agreed to repay approximately $10 million to the government, a move that Browne described as a “significant step toward restitution.”

Cabinet Spokesperson Maurice Merchant noted that these measures are aimed at tightening control, ensuring transparency, and rebuilding public trust in how state assets are managed.

The upcoming auction is expected to serve as both a corrective and symbolic gesture, signaling the government’s intent to close this contentious chapter and introduce stricter accountability measures across ministries.