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PHILIPSBURG--Government is looking into the possibility of cutting its vehicle fleet cost by moving to the payout of a vehicle allowance to civil servants who are assigned a vehicle due to their position or contract.
Prime Minister/General Affairs Minister William Marlin said in Tuesday’s continuation of the budget debate in the Central Committee of Parliament instead of buying more vehicles, Government will look into moving to the issuance of a vehicle allowance at the maximum of NAf. 1,000. Such a move will eliminate Government purchasing vehicles, covering garage fees, road tax, and other charges.
Marlin said the move to a vehicle allowance will also curb any fraud with gasoline vouchers.
The allowance will target the departments and civil servants that don’t require a specialized vehicle such as the police, immigration, and the Ministry of Public Health VSA, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure VROMI.
Government’s fleet has a total of 154 vehicles, including one manufactured in 1996.