The Premier and the Governor are to be given new cars – after their old vehicles put in a combined 44 years of service.

The new vehicles will cost the taxpayer $25,000 each – once customs duty paid to the Government has been deducted from the price tag.

In a statement last night, David Burch, the Minister of Public Works, said the cars needed to be replaced urgently after clocking up $60,000 in repair bills.

Colonel Burch added that the Government’s fleet of 13 ministerial cars was in a constant state of repair, and had not been replenished in the last 12 years.

Colonel Burch said: “We believe this decision represents a prudent investment in our Government fleet.

“Quite frankly, they needed to be replaced urgently. The Governor’s former vehicle was 23 years old, and the Premier’s car was 21 years old.

“In fact, out of our fleet of 13 ministerial cars, six are out of service due to maintenance and repairs. The newest Toyota Corolla model vehicle used in the ministerial fleet is more than 12 years old.

“I can also say that ministerial cars frequently break down – and in some cases, every week. Replacement parts to carry out the necessary repairs are becoming a challenge to procure due to the age of the vehicle, and can take months to be imported.

“It should be noted that these official cars are not solely used by Government officials and the Governor, but also to transport visiting dignitaries including heads of state.”

A ministry spokesman said that the new cars will provide more reliable service and were purchased locally.

He said: “Given the custom duty paid to the Government by the importer; the cost to the taxpayer will be under $25,000 each.”

The spokesman did not disclose the make and model of the new vehicles.

• What do you think? Should the Governor, Premier and ministers have GP cars or should they drive their own? If they have official cars, what kind of cars do you think they should have? E-mail your views to news@royalgazette.com