by Linda Straker
- Government exploring MPs displaying Special Registration Number Plates on vehicles
- Members expressed support according to minutes of 28 November 2023
- Options to reduce challenges faced by MPs as they perform their roles
Government is exploring the possibility of Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Lower House displaying Special Registration Number Plates on the vehicle or vehicles used when conducting their parliamentary or government responsibilities.
Leo Cato, Speaker of the House and Chairman of the House Committee introduced the topic for consideration and deliberation when members of the House Committee met on 22 November 2023.
“Members expressed their support for the concept,” said the minutes of the meeting which was laid in the Lower House on 28 November 2023.
The minutes said that the discussions were held with the following recommendations and concerns raised:
- That the Cabinet Secretary shall assist with providing relevant identification information of all Members of Parliament to the Royal Grenada Police Force if need be
- Consideration must be given to the number of Special Registered Plates that any Member of Parliament is entitled to
- It was suggested that public awareness through different forms of media coverage should be done
- Look at restrictions and measures, pros and cons with the implementation of the special plates
- Consider insurance coverage and the ramifications
- Consider the development of an acceptable use policy for the MPs
- Investigate the experiences set by other countries for MPs from other countries within the region and abroad with Special Registered Plates
MP Joseph Andall said that the objective coming out of the meeting would be to look at options that would determine how to proceed with outcomes that would reduce the challenges regularly faced by MPs as they perform their roles.
“It was agreed that in going forward the relevant entities would draw on the examples set by other Governments and Parliaments so that there is no need to reinvent the wheel,” said the minutes.
Wake up Grenada not even the pm in the UK has those private government number plates on so wake up people
Well people it is a waste of money ok all they have to do is put a sticker in the window to say a government vehicle. Ok like we have in the UK
The issue raised in this article is relevant, and the proposed solution is NOT a waste of money. Comments are being made that Grenada is small and, therefore, specialized license plates for ministers are only a ploy to make them look important. While it is true that Grenada is small, it’s NOT so small that everyone knows the license plates and cars of the ministers. Imagine if one of them is required to go to the Registry and wastes time driving around looking for a legal parking spot out of fear their car will be towed, all because the police have unfortunately not memorized the plate to know it’s their car despite how SMALL Grenada is. They should be permitted to move with ease around the country while on government business, and the unique license plate will allow them to do that. Sometimes, our concerns are born more out of jealousy, than honestly reviewing the issue from an unbiased point of view. Let the government spend the required funds and get on with running the country. If one of us ever becomes a minister, we’ll get the same privilege, and I seriously doubt we’ll reject the offer out of fear of looking like we’re stuck up. Oh, boy!!
I do not see the importance and benefit to the Grenadian people with this. Grenada is a small country and we know each other. But it is in keeping with what these people who consider themselves..Grenadian elites..in a class above the rest. It is selfish and about self aggrandizement.
Citizens of Grenada this is where your money’s going to what a waste of money your government wants to spend money on number plates on vehicles so this is where your money’s going what a waste of money for the waste and all you are paying for it it doesn’t do anything for the job it just makes them look important and then not they just want to waste your taxpayers money get a life government start wasting taxpayers money
I don’t think this is a waste of money neither would it make a difference in terms of cost compared to regular plates. I think it is great to see different things happening in the country. We can’t be going forward with the kind of attitude you have.
Not even the pm in the UK have government number plates to tell the public that governments vehicles Grenada wake up to the real world