ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC -Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has denied claims that his government is engaging in significant travel paid for by the Treasury, insisting except for organizations that Grenada must, the travel expenses of all government ministers are paid for by the entity which sent the invitation.
“When people talk about travel, there is no significant travel,” Prime Minister Mitchell said in an interview as he sought to justify that his travel, which on average is one per month, is not a burden to the state.
The official Gazette outlined the 36 times the acting prime minister held office during Mitchell’s absence from the state from July 1, 2022, to October 31, 2024.
Mitchell said that his administration’s policy is that ministers will not travel except for international and regional bodies, which Grenada is part of, and they are obligated to attend meetings and conferences.
He explained that institutions such as the United Nations, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) are exceptions.
“Our policy is, if those inviting us to travel or to visit to attend an event are not prepared or willing to pay the funding for it, we don’t travel,” he said.
Opposition parliamentarians have filed questions in the Parliament seeking a breakdown of the government’s travel. The answers are yet to be provided.
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