Government has purchased 58 cars for transporting dignitaries during official functions since the PLP Government came to power six years ago.

Government revealed in a Press release yesterday the cost of the vehicles purchased was $1,293 million, an average of $22,293 per vehicle.

In the statement, Minister of Works & Engineering and Housing, Ashfield De Vent said GP1 Peugeot GP2, and GP4 and GP 8 were bought to replace older vehicles within the Government fleet.

The Ministry of Works & Engineering is now taking responsibility for purchasing all Government owned vehicles excluding the Police and Fire Service vehicles.

Government standards dictate that a ministerial car other than the Peugeot vehicles, after eight years of use, be put with the Ministry?s car pool and an older car is then taken out of service.

The Ministry is responsible for developing appropriate operating and performance standards, monitoring and reporting on fleet management, practices, costs and results through Government.

In the Press release Government stated: ?The policy of replacing vehicles is not a new one.

?This was all in place with the former Administration.?