The Government has issued a tightened directive that allows official vehicles to be impounded on the spot if found to be misused, in a bid to curb fuel consumption and tighten accountability across ministries and agencies. The measures are set out in a circular dated April 2 from Permanent Secretary for Finance Shiri Gounder.
The circular warns that the Ministry of Finance will partner with the Fiji Police Force and the Land Transport Authority to enforce the new rules, “including impounding the vehicle on the spot,” and that “strict disciplinary action will be instituted for any breach,” Gounder said. The instruction frames the move as part of a broader effort to manage rising operational costs and mounting pressure from increasing fuel prices.
Key operational measures in the circular require that any use of government vehicles outside normal working hours must have prior written approval from the relevant Permanent Secretary and Heads of Departments. Vehicles authorised for after-hours duties must also display an official vehicle pass while in use. The directive reiterates that government vehicles are “for Government purposes only” and bars detours or private use.
To strengthen oversight, the Ministry of Finance has announced it will introduce GPS tracking on official vehicles to monitor movements and identify breaches. The circular says tracking data will be used to inform enforcement actions where necessary, though it does not detail the rollout timeline or which fleets will be tracked first.
The move follows a period of concern over rising fuel prices that has affected both public and private sectors. Government officials say the measures are intended to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption and ensure consistent compliance across all ministries and statutory bodies. The circular applies to all government vehicles, according to the Finance office, signalling a coordinated, cross-agency approach rather than isolated departmental guidance.
Permanent Secretary Gounder’s circular is the latest in a series of administrative steps the Government has taken to rein in costs amid volatile global fuel markets. While the directive sets out clear penalties and monitoring mechanisms, it leaves operational questions—such as the schedule for GPS installation, data privacy safeguards, and appeals or review procedures for impoundments—unaddressed in the text released so far. Agencies and department heads are now expected to implement the approval processes and ensure drivers carry appropriate passes when travelling outside normal hours.
The circular marks a visible escalation in enforcement instruments available to the state to manage its fleet and fuel bills. For public servants who rely on government vehicles for official duties, the new rules establish tighter controls and immediate consequences for unauthorised use.
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