23 May 2008
Gaborone — In response to rising concern about the misuse of government vehicles by officials and drivers, the Permanent Secretary to the President, Eric Molale, has circulated a directive to all ministries and departments warning them against the continued misuse of government vehicles for the transporting, without authority, of officers to work, children to school, shopping trips and other private errands.
Molale has also expressed his concern about reports of overspeeding and other road infractions on the part of government drivers, further observing that:
"Reckless driving must be stopped and culprits punished. This recklessness is compounded by purchase of vehicles with big capacity engines which are driven at high speed. One only needs to go to local panel beaters workshops to see these new but wrecked vehicles".
To address such concerns, the PSP has given notice of a number of measures that will be undertaken with immediate effect. These include the:
* strengthening by CTO and Local Authorities of their fleet inspectorates, which should collaborate where appropriate,
* mounting of regular roadblocks targeting government vehicles, which may be impounded where there is evidence of abuse,
* withdrawal of CTO Drivers Licences from repeat offenders,
* introduction of licences, which can be withdrawn, for non- CTO drivers working under the Ministries of Local Government and Lands and Housing,
* simplifying of surcharge procedures by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and
* a cessation of the inappropriate purchase of expensive, high power vehicles.
In addition it has been announced that toll free numbers will be established so that members of the public will be able to report cases of suspected abuse easily.
Be the first to Write a Comment!
Copyright © 2008 Mmegi/The Reporter. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
