The government has tightened controls on the use of official vehicles, issuing a new directive that limits backup cars to only the President and the Prime Minister and narrows home pick-up and drop-off privileges for senior officials.
In a circular dated April 2, Permanent Secretary for Finance Shiri Gounder wrote that “no vehicle backups are allowed except for His Excellency the President and the Honourable Prime Minister.” The directive, circulated to government agencies, is described as a strict control of transport arrangements for senior officials.
The circular further restricts routine home pick-up and drop-off services. Under the new rule, only Permanent Secretaries may be picked up or dropped off at home during normal working hours. “Officers other than the Permanent Secretary are not allowed to be picked up and/or dropped off home during normal working hours unless authorised… for urgent and priority tasks,” Mr Gounder said in the notice, spelling out a requirement for prior authorisation when other officers need such transport for exceptional duties.
The move represents the latest administrative tightening on use of state resources by senior officials. While the circular does not specify penalties for non-compliance or the mechanism for issuing authorisations, it signals an immediate change to how ministries and departments arrange official transport and security details.
The directive is expected to require ministries to review existing vehicle rosters and modify routines that previously included backup cars or routine home transit for a broader range of officers. Agencies that routinely provided transport for ministers, deputy secretaries or other senior staff will need to align local practices with the finance ministry’s instruction or seek written authorisation where urgent tasks justify exceptions.
There was no explanation in the circular about whether the restrictions are temporary or part of a wider policy review on government expenditure or security arrangements. No immediate public comment was included from the offices of the President or the Prime Minister regarding their continued entitlement to backup vehicles under the new directive.
Permanent Secretary Shiri Gounder’s April 2 circular is the latest development in government administrative policy and will likely be reflected in updated internal procedures across Fiji’s public service in the coming weeks. Further guidance or clarifications from the Finance Ministry may follow as ministries implement the changes.
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