Damion Mitchell, News Coordinator - Radio

Opposition spokesman on Finance Audley Shaw is accusing the Finance Ministry of breaching guidelines governing the sale of a government vehicle to Senator Colin Campbell.

The vehicle was assigned to Senator Campbell while he was Information Minister. However, last month he resigned from that position over the Trafigura Beheer scandal.

On Wednesday, it was reported that Senator Campbell said he had purchased the vehicle.

Guidelines breached

But speaking at a Gleaner Editors' Forum, Mr. Shaw said the guidelines governing the sale of government vehicles stipulate that they must be in use for at least three years before they can be disposed of.

"It means that (Finance Minister) Dr. Omar Davies has approved the sale of that car to Mr. Campbell in violation of those rules," he said. Mr. Shaw continued that the terms of sale and the price at which the vehicle were sold have not been disclosed, but he said there were other more important matters.

"The principle comes before the price," he said, arguing that the issue was scandalous.

Meanwhile, State Minister for Finance, Fitz Jackson, said yesterday that the Finance Ministry had the authority to sell the vehicle to Senator Campbell who he said was also entitled to a 20 per cent concession.

Mr. Jackson could not immediately confirm the details of the sale but said the vehicle could be sold on the discretion of the Finance Minister to facilitate the Senator in fulfilling his duties.

Regarding the three-year period before a government vehicle is usually sold, Mr. Jackson said it may be disposed of before that time expires.

He, however, pointed out that, where the vehicle has been in use for less than three years, the 20 per cent concession would not apply, even if the purchaser has the right to such an allowance, which is renewed every five years.