The Finance Ministry has released a circular in July addressing the misuse of government vehicles after receiving complaints from the public.
In this circular, the ministry emphasized the need for proper management and safeguards, introducing several guidelines. These stipulate that government vehicles should only be utilized for official purposes, prohibiting any detours for personal use.
It is required that an official vehicle pass be obtained from the transport officer for any use of government vehicles outside normal working hours. Additionally, all operators of government vehicles must possess an up-to-date driving license, a defensive driving certificate, and written authorization from Permanent Secretaries or Department Heads to drive such vehicles.
The Ministry underscored that government drivers are expected to model good behavior by following traffic rules, respecting other road users, and not misusing their authority while driving.
Concerns regarding the misuse of government vehicles have also been voiced by Opposition parliamentarian Jone Usamate, who noted that government drivers appear to be violating road regulations. He highlighted issues such as speeding and unsafe overtaking, which pose risks to other road users.
Mr. Usamate pointed out that rotating flashing lights on government vehicles are being used outside of emergency situations, which contravenes the law. He also raised concerns that the government vehicle policy is not being adhered to, stating that the Transport Policy clearly mandates that vehicles should be parked at designated agency garages or car parks at the end of each business day and on weekends, except in special cases where prior permission has been granted.
He observed that during peak morning hours, many government vehicles are seen commuting from homes to offices, often picking up officials along the way. He reiterated that only Permanent Secretaries are allowed to use government vehicles according to the policy, urging for an end to these practices as they represent a significant drain on public resources.