Gambia Government Vehicle Policy Under Fire

The Change Front political movement has unveiled a new vehicle policy for the presidency and executive, drawing attention to the substantial expenditure on cars for top government officials in The Gambia. A recent media release notes that while the government allocates significant funds for presidential and executive vehicles, many public institutions lack enough cars to perform their duties effectively.

In The Gambia, each minister currently receives two vehicles—one for official use and another for family matters—while permanent secretaries and directors are allocated only one vehicle each. The presidency, executive, and judiciary are provided with expensive cars for official purposes, with each minister driving a vehicle worth between 8 million and 10 million dalasi. The Change Front argues that this policy is out of step with the country’s economic reality, labeling the spending of millions on vehicles for senior officials as a waste of resources, especially when public institutions are under‑equipped.

To address the issue, the Change Front proposes radical measures to cut vehicle expenditure for the presidency and executive. The movement suggests that each minister should be entitled to only one official vehicle and that no government official, including the president, should receive a car worth more than 2 million dalasi. It also calls for the elimination of the current policy that provides utility cars to ministers’ families; all such vehicles would be confiscated and redistributed to public institutions that lack adequate transportation.

Furthermore, the Change Front plans to sell the expensive cars currently assigned to top officials and replace them with cheaper alternatives. The savings would be redirected toward government projects that promote social development. By reallocating vehicles to public institutions and implementing cost‑saving measures, the movement aims to use resources more efficiently, reduce unnecessary expenditure, and improve the delivery of public services.

This vehicle policy forms part of the Change Front’s broader effort to promote transparency, accountability, and prudent management of public resources in The Gambia.