Government vehicles

Around 11 ministers defected from government in November to mount a motion of no confidence against then Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

But the defectors were left in the lurch when the opposition group at the time crossed over to join forces with Manasseh Sogavare's camp and form a new government under Rick Hou.

The Solomon Business Magazine reports the current opposition leader and former deputy Prime Minister Manasseh Maelanga said he is trying to negotiate a deal for MPs to purchase the vehicles from government.

Matai Seremaiah has also discouraged workers from drunk driving, saying he expected all government vehicles to be in department parking lots at half past four every day.

The Daily Post said Mr Seremaiah called his staff together and announced the ban after two government vehicles were involved in accidents over the Christmas break.

He also ordered a top official to pay for the cost of a vehicle involved in an accident months earlier.

The Chairman of the Public Service Commission Martin Mahe said a fleet management committee would be established to set up rules, regulations and standards for the use of the vehicles.

Government ministries and departments will have to go through the committee for approval.

RNZ reports the government spends almost US$2 million a year on its vehicles.