Buhari approves new measures to cut down on foreign travels by Nigerian officials
Abuja, Nigeria (PANA) – Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has approved for immediate implementation, additional cost saving measures aimed at instilling financial discipline and prudence, particularly, in the area of official travels.
The new measures, announced on Wednesday, have not only cut down on the foreign travelling allowance paid to Federal ministers and top government officials, but also require that they submit travel plans for clearance.
Nigeria's ministers and top government officials are known for frequent foreign and local travels, sometimes, travelling for private events with large retinue of officials at government expense.
The new measures, announced by the Spokesperson of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Nigerian Federation, Mr Willie Bassey, require that when a minister is head of a delegation, the size of such delegation should not exceed four.
The president also approved that Federal Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants to the President, chairmen of extra-Ministerial Departments and Chief Executive Officers of parastatals who are entitled, would continue to fly business class while other categories of public officers travel on economy class.
Henceforth, the statement said, “all ministries, departments and agencies are required to submit their yearly travel plans for statutory meetings and engagements to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and/or the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation for express clearance within the first quarter of the fiscal year, before implementation.
“They are further required to make their presentation using the existing template and also secure approvals on specific travels as contained in the plan, from the appropriate quarters. On the Nature and Frequency of Travels, all public funded travels (local and foreign), must be strictly for official purposes backed with documentary evidence.
“In this regard, all foreign travels must be for highly essential statutory engagements that are beneficial to the interest of the country. Except with the express approval of the President, ministers, permanent secretaries, chairmen of extra-ministerial departments, chief executive officers and directors are restricted to not more than two foreign travels in a quarter.
“Also, travel days will no longer attract payment of allowances as duration of official trips shall be limited to only the number of days of the event as contained in the supporting documents to qualify for public funding.”
-0- PANA MON/AR 17Oct2019
