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Close Topic OptionsGovernmet Wants To Purchase 200 Luxury Cars
Governmet Purchase 200 Luxury Cars - Trinidad, Tobago / Caribbean - Posted: 3rd Jan, 2009 - 6:08am
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For two international summits
Governmet Wants To Purchase 200 Luxury Cars
Okay, so the government wants to purchase and import 200 luxury cars to transport heads of states that will visit the country to participate in these meetings. But what will happen with those cars once these meetings are over? Well, they want to distribute them to the Ministers and others involved with the government.
Major car dealers offered the government to provide 200 VIP vehicles for free by the government allowing them to bring those vehicles into the country "free of Customs duties and taxes", use them for these meetings and then return them to the dealers.
I mean, how much can this possibly cost? Definitely CHEAPER than buying them, no?
Well, according to a Minister he is not so sure. They could be a lot of "hidden" costs involved. Uh-uh....sure. 
| QUOTE |
| Minister in the Ministry of Finance Mariano Browne says an offer by major car dealers to provide 200 VIP vehicles free to the Government for the two international summits to be held in this country is not necessarily a saving grace for taxpayers. "No it's not... It sounds like it...but anything that is too good invariably is...too good," Browne said. Browne did so in response to questions from reporters on the issue after the Trinidad Building & Loan Association's launch of its corporate signature and corporate website at its office on Queen Street, Port of Spain last night. The Express exclusively reported yesterday that the major car dealers made their offer with the provision that they are allowed to import the 200 VIP vehicles "free of Customs duties and taxes". The vehicles must also be returned to the dealers at the end of the summits. "There are several things about that. We have to mitigate costs, they get the vehicles duty free. There is a cost to that in terms of revenues foregone, in terms of opportunity cost. At the same token it sets a precedent which we will need to look at. So that there may be hidden costs which we may not be aware of," Browne said. He said that the Government will examine the proposal once it is officially presented but he said that he did not know whether it was a part of the tender process for the vehicles for the Fifth Summit of the Americas and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) being held in Port of Spain next year. The tender process is now being conducted by the National Insurance Property Development Company Limited (NIPDEC). He said the tender bids do allow for the purchase, lease or rent of the vehicles according to Automobile Dealers Association president, Philip Knaggs, normally have a total cost of $120-$140 million but could cost $60-$70 million once the relevant duties and importation taxes are reduced and the Government wants to use at the most "feasible" option.... |
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Cars Luxury Purchase Wants Governmet
A better idea would be to invest in training selectd member from the Police, Defense Forces, etc as part of their respective military/police occupational specialty so they can repair the cars as opposed to the 200!
That is unduly excessive! Even 25 is a respectable number, and put the cost for the other 150 cars into some type of worthwhile endeavour fund.
Governmet Wants To Purchase 200 Luxury Cars Caribbean / Tobago & Trinidad
Train police and defense force to fix cars? Why the heck should we do that? That is what maintenance is for. We need all the police and defense force to deal with the crime situation. Back to the cars. uhm what is the problem? They want to purchase these cars to carry heads of state around the country, what is the problem? I suppose a maxi or an airport taxi is a better idea? or maybe those PH drivers with their suped up cars can be used instead, will be much cheaper don't you think? The problem is that the government of the day is trying to please the public. No we wont buy the cars we just borrowing them. If the cost of borrowing the cars is close to actually buying them, wouldn't it be better to just buy them and done? Nope, if they come tomorrow and say they buying the cars the public will burn them at the stake and say that these ministers only want fancy cars. I say let them buy the cars and let at least Trinidad be known for treating heads of state with some respect and honor that they deserve. Just goes to show you that no matter what you do, it will always have someone who will say you should have done it the other way.
Cars Luxury Purchase Wants Governmet
lordryko,
You misunderstand the process of specialties within safety and security (defense) forces! Within the Police Service, there are those policemen and Defense Forces personnel who job is motor vehicle maintenance or some similar designation.
Train those motor vehice maintenance personnel as opposed to buying X cars.
They may be designated as diesel specialist or engineering mechanics, etc.
My father was in the Police Service. He began as a mechanic then he did investigations and dignitary protection, etc,. So was my grandfather, uncle and a godfather. My godfather was in the Police Service as in Inspector but he worked with Radio Communication/Repair.
TOPIC: Governmet Wants To Purchase 200 Luxury Cars