GOVERNANCE Minister, Raphael Trotman has rubbished claims by the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) that some $1B had been invested by the new David Granger Administration into the purchase of 52 new custom-made luxury Land Cruiser vehicles for use by Government officials.At a post-cabinet press briefing yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency, Trotman told the press corps that the new Administration had heard of the allegations, which seemed to have hit the surface long before the statement from the PPP/C.
Trotman said he was tasked to contact the Beharry Group of Companies some time ago to enquire about the alleged shipment of vehicles heading for Guyana, but he was informed by a senior official of the company that there was no incoming shipment of 52 vehicles.
The Beharry Group of Companies is the designated importer of Toyota vehicles, and Trotman was informed that one vehicle had landed at the seaport just after the May 11 elections. That car, according to Trotman, is now being used in the presidential fleet of vehicles.
The statement coming out of the PPP/C, which lost the reins of power at the May 11 polls that ended the party’s 23-year-rule, spoke to the alleged vehicles being equipped with “leather seats, high-end entertainment centres, [and] high-definition TVs, among other luxurious fittings.”
“We are not going to do anything as ridiculous as invest in 52 vehicles for ourselves with entertainment systems and leather seats and so forth,” Trotman said, explaining that the new A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition Government uses vehicles formerly used by the previous Administration.
“There is nothing irregular or extravagant about fixing the gutters or putting another coat of paint, or replacing rotting boards,” Trotman said about State properties such as the buildings housing the courts throughout Guyana, and even the guesthouses owned by the State.
The PPP/C also levelled criticisms against the new Administration for failing to implement some of the promises made by the coalition parties on the campaign trail before May 11. “The APNU+AFC Government has abandoned its election promises of a reduction in the Value Added Tax (VAT) and a 20% pay increase for public servants, claiming there is no money in the treasury,” the PPP/C statement read.
While the Governance Minister could not pronounce on how Finance Minister Winston Jordan will treat the increase of wages and salaries in his 2015 budget presentation expected in September, he said not only will Government fulfil the promises made in the coalition’s 100 day-plan, but he believes the awaited pronouncements of the Finance Minister “will meet the general approval of the population.”
On another note, the PPP/C had also accused the new Administration of spending hefty sums of money on the modification of State houses. Defending this position, Mr. Trotman said, “We believe that State houses are property of the State and need to be refurbished where necessary.”

***Photo saved in graphics as “Trotman”
Caption: