Motorcycles and executive vans acquired for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will remain available for future conferences and other uses in Antigua and Barbuda, Prime Minister Gaston Browne said Saturday.

Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show, Browne said the vehicles represented a lasting benefit from hosting the summit, with most of the motorcycles seen on the streets belonging to the government.

“We also bought some executive vans, and those are here with us for other conferences, for other usage,” he said.

Browne also suggested that Antigua and Barbuda could lend motorcycles to other Caribbean countries hosting similar events.

“We can even help other Caribbean countries when they’re having conferences,” he said, indicating that approximately a dozen motorcycles could be made available on loan.

He did not announce a lending agreement or identify a country that had requested assistance.

The comments came as Browne defended the cost of hosting CHOGM and outlined contributions received from governments and other donors.

He said a US$1 million government contribution had helped purchase motorcycles and executive vans. The donor government was not clearly identified in that portion of the supplied transcript.

Browne said summit preparations involved both vehicle purchases and gifts, but did not provide a complete inventory distinguishing donated vehicles from those bought with grant funding or other government resources.

He also did not give the total acquisition cost, identify the agencies that would manage the fleet or explain how the vehicles would be allocated after the summit.

The prime minister presented their continued availability as part of CHOGM’s longer-term value, saying equipment acquired for the event could support future activities rather than serve only the recently concluded meeting.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: Antigua and Barbuda to retain CHOGM vehicles for future conferences, PM says.