One of the Prime Minister’s official vehicle, PM 1, will be put up for auction.
In a release issued yesterday by the Office of the Prime Minister, it confirmed that a new S-Class Mercedes Benz had been procured for Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, which would replace PM 1, a nine-year-old vehicle, which was “currently out of commission.”
PM 1 is a Toyota Royal Saloon, which was used by two former prime ministers, Patrick Manning and Kamla Persad-Bissessar.
The release stated that the cost of the new car from Sterling Services (Battoo Bros) Ltd is $970,763.26.
It also stated that procuring motor vehicles for the use of the Office of the Prime Minister was an administrative function carried out by relevant staff at its office.
“There are a number of matters that are considered in determining the vehicle (s) used to transport the honourable Prime Minister, including, safety, comfort and security.
“The Office of the Prime Minister has been replacing motor vehicles on a phased basis as those older than five years have become increasingly costly to maintain.
“The estimates of the Office of the Prime Minister for the years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 included sums for the replacement of motor vehicles.
All replaced vehicles are and will be publicly auctioned in accordance with the law,” the release added.
On Sunday, in addressing delegates at the People’s National Movement special convention in Port-of-Spain, Rowley defended his position on the purchase of the new Mercedes Benz, claiming that PCM 1, another official vehicle of the Prime Minister, which was used by Persad-Bissessar during her term in office had “vomit” which was difficult to clean and had a terrible smell.
PCM 1 is an older model Mercedes Benz.