Government has voted new funding for Cabinet ministers to have drivers available late at night, citing safety concerns for the politicians.
The expense, highlighted as the reason for a six-figure increase in the budget for the Protocol Office, will also help ministers to work and save time searching for parking spots as they jump from meeting to meeting, Premier André Ebanks said.
Asked about the $149,000 (15%) increase in budget for the Protocol Office during the recent Finance Committee session in Parliament, Ebanks said this was to cover the cost of drivers working more hours.
Former labour minister Dwayne Seymour was injured twice in separate accidents in the last few years and cited fatigue from “working too hard” as a contributory factor.
Speaking in Parliament after the second accident, when his car collided with an excavator left in the roadway, Seymour said he had been “inches from death”.
Ebanks did not reference those accidents specifically but said driving safety was a concern for ministers after long, hard days at work.
“We do need to recognise that there is a safety component for ministers,” he said.
Some ministers opt out
Under questioning from Deputy Opposition Leader Kenneth Bryan, he acknowledged that not all parties to the coalition were in support of spending on drivers and vehicles for ministers.
Dan Scott, the leader of the Cayman Islands National Party, said during the pre-election debate that the party opposed the policy on principle.
“Our starting point is we are giving back the Tahoes. We are going to drive our own cars to and from work.”
Scott was not elected but remains the chairman of the party, which has four MPs in the National Coalition For Caymanians government.
The Compass has been told that Cayman Islands National Party ministers Gary Rutty and Michael Myles have opted out of having government vehicles or drivers.
Ebanks said a policy was being drafted.
“I don’t see the members that want to opt out of having a driver blocking the rest of us … that is their choice,” he said.
“I do plead with those ministers (to reconsider) because it is a safety issue … all it takes is one blink on the way home and you are out a Cabinet minister, God forbid.”
Former tourism minister Bryan said he supported the idea and had often been concerned about the safety of his Cabinet colleagues driving home to the eastern districts after late meetings.
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Chauffeurs for politicians and $600 drivers licenses for people making $8.75/hour. Okay then.
This is just one example of where the increased bank fees will be going. Spend it even before they get it.
These government cronies are a joke. Taxing private sector businesses and expats, spending like mad and living like kings while these common many cayman is treated like a peasant compared to them. How can the voting public not see.
Caymanian jobs and business are on the line because of the tax bill and the politicians are rewarding themselves with chauffeurs? This is outrageous!
What other benefits are they gaining?
Drink all you want Ministers, the chauffeurs are on call 24/7.
Nevermind the poverty and homelessness you’ll drive past!
If the mayor of NYC can ride the subway – unna can take a bus!
Stop the corruption!!!!
Let’s have a parliamentary bill allowing Uber to operate here! Then every weary person has a cost-effective way to get safely home after a long day’s work.