Government’s Travel Policy Clarified
Rebutting Claims of Excessive Spending
Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has strongly rejected claims that his government is spending large sums of public funds on travel. In a statement, he clarified that, aside from events and organizations that Grenada is obligated to attend, the travel expenses of government ministers are typically covered by the inviting entities, not the national Treasury.
Fiscal Responsibility and Transparency
Mitchell’s response comes amid growing scrutiny over government spending, particularly related to overseas travel. The Prime Minister emphasized that his administration is committed to transparency and fiscal responsibility, reiterating that any official travel is either funded by external organizations or tied to Grenada’s official obligations. This clarification seeks to dispel concerns that public funds are being misused for unnecessary or excessive travel expenses by government officials.
Limited Travel
"When people talk about travel, there is no significant travel," Prime Minister Mitchell said in an interview as he sought to justify that his travel, which on average is one per month, is not a burden to the state.
Exceptions to the Rule
The official Gazette outlining the number of times the acting prime minister held office during Mitchell’s absence from the state for the period of July 1, 2022 to October 31, 2024 were 36.
Mitchell said that his administration’s policy is that ministers will not travel except for international and regional bodies which Grenada is part of and there is an obligation to attend the meetings and conferences.
Exceptions to the Rule
He explained that the exceptions are institutions such as the United Nations or the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) or the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
"Our policy is, if those who are inviting us to travel or to visit to attend an event are not prepared or willing to pay the funding for it, we don’t travel," he said.
Opposition’s Request for Travel Breakdown
Opposition parliamentarians have filed questions in the Parliament seeking a breakdown of government’s travel. The answers are yet to be provided.
Conclusion
The government’s travel policy aims to ensure that public funds are used responsibly and efficiently, and that travel is only undertaken when necessary and justified. By clarifying the rules and exceptions, the government is demonstrating its commitment to transparency and accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the government’s policy on travel?
The government’s policy is that ministers will not travel except for international and regional bodies which Grenada is part of and there is an obligation to attend the meetings and conferences. - Who covers the travel expenses of government ministers?
The inviting entities, not the national Treasury, cover the travel expenses of government ministers. - What are the exceptions to the rule?
The exceptions are institutions such as the United Nations, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), or the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
About The Author
