PM's new Range rover bought with personal funds and loan from Parliament

Black 2012 Range Rover Sport

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has confirmed that she has bought a new vehicle for her personal use, according to her entitlement as a Member of Parliament. 

The Express newspaper enquired about the black Range Rover Sport vehicle, registration PCW 1.

It quoted a text message it said it received from Persad-Bissessar: "Purchased by me, with downpayment from my personal funds acquired from my salary, with the majority payment from a loan from Parliament. which is accessible to all MPs. I have to repay the loan by monthly instalments from my salary. Definitely not a gift. I pay out of my hard-earned income." 

The Sunday Express gave details of the vehicle, which it said cost about $900,000 after tax and duty exemptions to which she is entitled.

The paper said the exemptions are: $166,905 exemption from value added tax and $249,950 from motor vehicle tax.

The Prime Minister noted that there was nothing unusual about her buying a vehicle through the loan facility, which is part of the terms and conditions of MPs.

"Indeed, when I was a minister of government previously and when I was an opposition MP, I also accessed this facility as did many others," she told the paper.

The Express also quoted the PM's entitlement according to the 89th Report of the Salaries and Review Commission:

• Salary: $48,000 per month
• Duty allowance: $7,500 per month 
• Transport facilities (some of which are): 1. A fleet of official motor vehicles, fully furnished by the State and manned by a complement of chauffeurs. 
• A maximum loan of $350,000, at a rate of interest of six per cent per annum, repayable over a period of six years, to facilitate the purchase of either— i. a new motor vehicle, with full exemption from motor vehicle tax, value added tax and customs duty or ii. a used motor vehicle, with full exemption from special motor vehicles tax, value added tax and customs duty. 
• A transportation allowance of $5,550 per month
• A personal chauffeur 
• Housing: Official residences, fully furnished and maintained by the State, with the necessary complement of household staff
• Entertainment: Actual expenses incurred for official entertainment to be met from an official Entertainment Vote under the control of the Office of the Prime Minister