The ongoing vehicle procurement scandal in Antigua and Barbuda has sparked widespread concern and renewed scrutiny of the country’s anti-corruption systems, particularly the Integrity Commission, which has remained silent despite its mandate to ensure transparency and accountability in public life.

Reports show that government departments spent about EC$6 million on vehicle purchases in 2023, three times the EC$2 million approved in the national budget. Several of these purchases reportedly occurred without the required Cabinet approval, raising serious questions about internal controls and oversight within government.

Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle has called for an independent inquiry into the matter, warning that anything less would betray public trust. He described the scandal as a test of the government’s commitment to good governance and accountability.

The United Progressive Party has also renewed its demand for an independent investigation, rejecting the government’s explanations and describing the situation as a multi-million-dollar procurement failure. Party officials argue that public funds were spent without proper authorization and that the country deserves a full accounting of how the money was used.

The Integrity Commission, created under the Integrity in Public Life Act of 2004, is legally responsible for monitoring declarations of assets and income from public officials, investigating potential corruption, and advising government agencies on measures to prevent abuse. Despite this broad authority, the Commission has remained silent on the current controversy.

Critics say this lack of action undermines confidence in the country’s anti-corruption framework. They argue that the Commission’s purpose is to act precisely in moments like this, when transparency and oversight are under threat. Its absence from public discourse raises doubts about whether it is fulfilling its legal and moral duties.

Civil society groups are urging the Commission to take visible action by reviewing the vehicle procurement process, auditing the declarations of all officials involved, and publishing a detailed report of its findings. They insist that the Commission must demonstrate its independence from political influence and its commitment to protecting the public interest.

For many Antiguans and Barbudans, the vehicle scandal is more than a financial controversy. It is a test of whether the institutions built to safeguard integrity are functioning as intended. The Integrity Commission, designed to uphold those standards, faces growing pressure to prove its relevance.

If it continues to remain silent, the cost will not only be measured in money but in public trust.