After 18 years in the political wilderness, the Jamaica Labour Party has returned to the helm of government with a love affair for gas-guzzling SUVs, costing taxpayers millions of dollars.

And those who haven't, such as Energy Minister Clive Mullings, received equally pricey vehicles such as the Benz.

Documents procured under the Access to Information Act revealed that on September 25, 2007, Mullings requested a 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser. A month later, after approval was granted, the minister had a "change of mind" and requested the Benz instead.

"Our procurement members have supported/endorsed the change, as the cost for this vehicle is less than the one which was previouslyapproved," read a section of a missive addressed to the financial secretary. The vehicle, which at the time had an approximate market value of $5.35 million, cost tax-payers an estimated $2.95 million, which was $662 less than the 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado bought for Karl Samuda.

One of three prados

Audley Shaw, minister of finance and the public service, now motors around in one of three Toyota Land Cruiser Prados that were bought for the three Cabinet officials at the ministry.

In his contribution to last year's Budget Debate in April, then opposition spokesman on finance, Shaw, lambasted the Government and the central bank for what he described as "extravagance and waste" and fiscal imprudence, respectively.

"In fact, the main area of growth appears to be debt corruption and waste in Government, where extravagance and waste are the order of the day, where expensive gas-guzzling vehicles are used for messenger service and the Bank of Jamaica that is to set the tone for fiscal prudence is now the seat of vulgar opulence with its fleet of expensive SUVs, BMWs and Mercedes-Benz motor vehicles," Shaw said at the time.

Increase approved

Six months later, Shaw approved an increase in the upper-limit purchase price for assigned motor vehicles that would facilitate the purchase of the same kinds of vehicles he labelled vulgar opulence. And, instead of taking the high road, the minister chose to be assigned one of the gas-guzzling, off-road vehicles that he lashed out against while in Opposition.

The official documents secured by The Gleaner revealed that the cost, insurance and freight (cif) figure was increased from US$27,800 to US$29,500. It is important to note that the cif does not represent the full cost of the vehicle, just what it cost to get the vehicle to the ports. In one instance, the ultimate selling price was over US$12,500 more.

"The ministry has observed that consequent on the rising cost of motor vehicles generally, quotations being submitted for the purchase of new vehicles for assignment to public officials have been reflecting amounts over the current approved cost, insurance and freight (CIF) limit of US$27,800," read a section of the circular signed by Colin Bullock, financial secretary.

CIF value

It added, "In order to alleviate the current problem, the honourable minister of finance and the public service gave approval effective October 1, 2007, for the upper limit to be (increased) to a cif value of US$29,500."

Shortly afterwards, two identical price invoices, dated October 31, 2007, were sent by Toyota Jamaica Limited to the finance ministry charging it approximately $6 million for two Toyota Land Cruiser/Prado SUVs.

They were bought for and assigned to Shaw and his fellow Cabinet minister, Dwight Nelson.

Another invoice, dated October 30, 2007, for another Land Cruiser Prado, was also received by the finance ministry from the same company, charging a little less than the two previous vehicles, but still close to $3 million. That vehicle is assigned to Minister Don Wehby.

Defended decision

In a written response to queries from the Gleaner, Shaw defended the decision to increase the cif.

"The nominal increase from US$27,800 to US$29,500 on the limit for the purchase of an assigned motor vehicle was occasioned by the increased cost of motor vehicles," read a section of Shaw's response.

The minister also said that Cabinet would be conducting a review of the motor-vehicle policy for assigned vehicles to all eligible public servants. The review is especially prompted, he said, because of the "energy crisis we face at this time".

Shaw argued that the SUV assigned to him was not done so at his request. "It was at the recommendation of the ministry based on the serviceability and reliability of the unit and it is a diesel model that enhances fuel efficiency," Shaw said.

Not backing down

He added that he was not backing down from comments in Parliament last year concerning the use of gas-gobblers for messenger service, and that he would ensure that the practice was discontinued. However, the minister failed to comment on the fiscal imprudence he accused the central bank of because they were purchasing SUVs and other posh cars, which is exactly what his administration has done.

Official documents revealed that Robert Montague, minister of state in the Office of the Prime Minister, who was assigned a 2004 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, has cost taxpayers close to $50,000 a month from November 2007 to January 2008, just to purchase petrol.