Former Ministers and Associate Ministers who had the benefit of using government vehicles during the last Parliamentary term should have returned the vehicles by now.

That’s according to the Ministry of Finance, Chief Executive Officer, Tupaimatuna Iulai Lavea.

 “A circular has been sent to all Ministries and S.O.Es to have the vehicles used by M.Ps who did not make it back, returned and garaged,” Tupai told the Samoa Observer 

He did not say how many pick up trucks and SUVs have been returned. 

There were nine Associate Ministers who had the luxury of hilux pickup during that term that did not return after the general election. 

Eight Cabinet Ministers including the Leader of the Opposition Party, Palusalue Fa’apo II, Deputy Speaker, Agafili Patisela Eteuati and the former Deputy Prime Minister also had the benefit of using Toyota Prados. 

Asked about claims that a former Associate Minister from Savai’i had crashed a government owned pick up in Savai’i during the election, Tupai said he was unaware of this.  As for the former Opposition leader’s vehicle, Tupai explained that the car has been allocated to the Ministry of Finance. It is now being driven by the new Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti.

“The vehicle is provided for the Leader of Opposition in line with his/her entitlements under the law not for the Tautua party.”