DOMINICA-Government denies purchasing a vehicle for the use of the Prime Minister’s children.

ROSEAU, Dominica, CMC -Finance and Economic Development Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre says the “unfortunate and regrettable wording” of an internal memo regarding the purchase of a vehicle for the Office of the Prime Minister “has been exploited to create a narrative that is simply untrue.”

Earlier this week, a November 11 internal memo from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development was leaked on social media. It showed that the Finance Minister had approved purchasing a vehicle “to be used for the transportation of the children of the Honourable Prime Minister.”

The memo stated that the vehicle would be bought from a local dealer for EC$184,500 (One EC dollar = US$0.37 cents).

But Prime Minister Skerrit, in a November 25 memo to the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, said he was instructed that “the vehicle shall not be used for the transportation of my children under any circumstance” and that “such decision shall be implemented November 25, 2024”.

“That notwithstanding, I have proceeded to purchase a personal vehicle which shall be used to transport my children to and from school,” Skerrit wrote, adding, “Let the record show that at no time I asked for a vehicle to be purchased to transport my children to and from school specifically.”

In his statement, the Finance and Economic Development Minister said he wanted to set the records straight “in response to public discussion regarding the procurement of a government vehicle.”

McIntyre said he wanted to provide “clarity and context” and that the vehicle in question was included in the 2024-2025 Budget Estimates under expenditure item 30 M100 M11 45001.

“A cost difference of EC$52,500 was addressed by the Finance Administration Act, which allows the Financial Secretary to direct, using a Virement Warrant, that any surplus from expenditure within the same supply vote be applied to cover deficiencies or new purposes, provided it does not exceed the total sum appropriated in the Appropriation Act or Supplementary Appropriation Act. All ministries take This action when the need arises during the fiscal year.”

McIntyre said that every step taken in purchasing the vehicle “adhered strictly to the Constitution and the Financial Administration Act, ensuring that the spirit and letter of the law were fully compliant with Dominica’s legal framework.

“Attempts to characterize this purchase as improper and for the exclusive use of the Prime Minister’s children is misleading and demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of parliamentary procedure.

“The vehicle was never intended for such exclusive use. It was requested by the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force to be operated exclusively by its members to perform official state duties.”

McIntyre said that its primary function includes a national and security component, supporting essential government operations and ensuring the mobility and safety of key personnel, including but not limited to visiting heads of state.

“Additionally, it replaced an older vehicle previously used to carry out these critical national duties and was no longer fit for purpose. The unfortunate wording of an internal memo has been exploited to create a narrative that is simply untrue.”

The Finance and Economic Development Minister reiterated that Prime Minister Skerrit “was not involved in this decision and has instructed that his children will not use this vehicle under any circumstance.

“I must underscore that at no time did the Prime Minister ask for any vehicle to be purchased to transport his children to and from school specifically. Our government remains committed to transparency and proper governance.

“We urge the opposition to refrain from misrepresenting the facts and to engage in constructive dialogue that benefits the people of Dominica,” McIntyre added.