PHILIPSBURG--Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs says putting limits on the use of government vehicles is an area where government can reduce costs with potential savings in vehicle maintenance, purchases and fuel.
Gumbs made the remarks during a press conference at Parliament after presenting the draft 2027 budget to Parliament. She was responding to a question. She said the issue is being examined by the Ministry of General Affairs, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers (COM) as part of efforts to identify areas where government spending can be reduced.
She said the government could establish a cap on who is permitted to use government vehicles, while vehicles outside those limits could be taken out of use. “Let’s set a cap on who can use the vehicles. Outside of that the vehicles should be put down” Gumbs said.
According to Gumbs, reducing the number of vehicles in use could lower maintenance costs, reduce how frequently government needs to purchase vehicles and cut fuel consumption.
She said the government is also looking at other areas where spending can be reduced and that measures identified by the Ministry of General Affairs will be brought to the Council of Ministers for discussion and approval.
Gumbs pointed to an earlier motion during the 2026 budget process proposed by MP Francisco Lacroes to cut travel, which was approved.
She said the government needs to continue identifying areas where it can reduce unnecessary spending because of the need to save.
