The Namibian government has banned government officials from buying new cars till 2025, a decision taken to mitigate the effect of the outbreak of Coronavirus in the country.
President Hage Geingob who made the announcement on Twitter on Thursday May 14, also directed a cap on monthly fuel consumption by public office holders.
He said the decision would save the country 200 million Namibian dollars (US$10.7 million), which will be directed "to urgent priorities, specifically at a time when the country is dealing with the health and economic implications of COVID-19".
The statement read in parts;
“Government will not order a new vehicle fleet for the Executive and Public Office Bearers for the period 2020-2025.
“Savings of 200 million Namibia dollars (about $10.8 million) will be directed to urgent priority areas."
The southern African country of 2.5 million people has so far recorded 16 cases of COVID-19, with no deaths.
Namibian ministers and their deputies each qualify for Mercedes-Benz vehicles upon their appointment. In 2002, then-president Sam Nujoma had banned the use of Mercedes-Benz, insisting that ministers should ride in Toyota Camry cars.
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