Eustace: No need for new vehicle for PM

There is no need for provisions to be made for the prime minister to purchase a new vehicle.{{more}}

This is the opinion of the Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace, who in his contribution to the Budget Debate on Tuesday said that the action was just another indication of the lack of sensitivity shown by the prime minister.

Eustace said that the 14-year-old vehicle owned by former Prime Minister Sir James Mitchell was passed on to him during his stint in office.

And according to the Opposition Leader, he remembered having to get out and help the police officers push the 14-year-old vehicle after it broke down as he was making his way home from a function at Government House.

“Yet when provisions were put in for $56,000 or thereabout for a new car for the prime minister, all hell broke loose in this House,” Eustace contended.

“This one I am saying to you prime minister is unacceptable,” he continued.

The Leader of the Opposition contended that there were already sufficient provisions being discussed in terms of reducing expenditure.

“So I don’t think you should bother with that one, Mr Prime Minister. There are many more important priorities to the people of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” Eustace said.

He added that he did not want to get into the leak at the prime minister’s residence, saying that he hoped that those responsible for providing the estimates knew what they were doing.

Representative for Central Kingstown St Clair Leacock challenged Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves back in December 2011 after it was noted that there were provisions included in the Estimates for the purchase of a new vehicle valued at $80,000, and $260,000 for the refurbishment of the prime minister’s residence, and $200,000 for the security quarters.

Leacock went on to inform the prime minister that he was “getting too expensive to mind.”

“What you going do with another vehicle, Mr Prime Minister? You say your house leaking, you want refurbishment of your house for $260,000. Well, that’s a house, that ain’t refurbishment,” Leacock said. (DD)