Mauritius PMO Spends Rs 21.1 Million on Nine Escort Motorcycles

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) of Mauritius has purchased nine escort motorcycles at a combined cost of Rs 21.1 million, according to a report by Le Défi Media. The acquisition works out to roughly Rs 2.3 million per motorcycle — a figure that is likely to draw scrutiny at a time when public finances are under pressure and cost-of-living concerns remain high across the island. **What Are Escort Motorcycles?** Escort motorcycles are used by police or security personnel to accompany official government convoys — typically clearing the road ahead of vehicles carrying the Prime Minister, visiting heads of state, or other senior dignitaries. They are standard equipment for executive protection units in most countries, but their cost and procurement process are subject to public accountability in Mauritius. **Who Approved the Purchase?** The procurement falls under the Prime Minister's Office, the central administrative body that oversees a wide range of government functions in Mauritius, including the police force and national security matters. All government procurement above certain thresholds must comply with the Public Procurement Act and be reviewed by the Central Procurement Board (CPB), Mauritius's main oversight body for public tenders. No further details have been published at this stage regarding which supplier won the contract, what brand or model of motorcycle was procured, or whether the purchase went through a competitive tender process. **What This Means** For taxpayers and civil society observers, the Rs 21.1 million price tag will inevitably prompt questions: Were multiple suppliers invited to bid? Were cheaper alternatives considered? Is this figure in line with international market prices for professional escort-grade motorcycles? In a country where public procurement transparency has been an ongoing political issue, purchases of this nature — made directly through the PMO — tend to attract opposition scrutiny, particularly during periods of budgetary constraint. The Opposition and civil society groups in Mauritius have in recent years pushed for greater disclosure around government spending, especially on items related to VIP security and official vehicles. For ordinary Mauritians, the purchase is a reminder of the costs associated with maintaining executive infrastructure — and the importance of robust procurement oversight to ensure value for public money. Further details on the tender process and supplier are expected to become available through parliamentary questions or public procurement records. Source: Le Défi Media