The government is set to auction off high-maintenance luxury vehicles, including several V8s, as part of a cost-cutting measure to fund the purchase of fuel-efficient official vehicles for Members of Parliament (MPs). This initiative reflects the administration’s efforts to address budget constraints while ensuring MPs have reliable transportation for their official duties.
A senior government official revealed that the new policy prioritizes practicality and fiscal responsibility. The auction will include 344 government vehicles identified as being expensive to maintain, many of which are high-end luxury models like V8s. Proceeds from the auction will be used to purchase fuel-efficient, non-luxury vehicles for all 159 MPs, allowing them to fulfill their responsibilities effectively without excessive costs.
The official emphasized that no MP will be provided with a new luxury vehicle, and fuel efficiency will be the primary criterion for the selection of official cars. If the auction does not generate sufficient revenue, the Presidential Secretariat may release several vehicles from its fleet to meet the shortfall.
Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers in the new government will inherit the vehicles previously used by their counterparts in the previous administration. These vehicles will be handed over by the ministries, and no new vehicles will be allocated for ministerial use. This marks a departure from the past practice of assigning luxury vehicles to ministers and deputies upon assuming office.
The official further explained that MPs often need to travel long distances to their constituencies for government work, making reliable transportation essential. However, the government is determined to avoid unnecessary expenditures, and luxury cars that consume excessive amounts of fuel will not be considered.
This decision comes as part of a broader strategy to manage government resources more efficiently. The auction and redistribution of vehicles underscore the administration’s commitment to balancing the needs of public officials with fiscal responsibility. The move is expected to draw public scrutiny, given the continued debate over the allocation of resources for political representatives.
