Breaking: President Buhari Restricts Foreign Travels For Ministers, Others (See Details)

Buhari Issues Fresh Directive To Public Office Holders

In a bid to curb leakages and ensure efficiency in the management of Government resources, 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.

This was disclosed in a press statement on Wednesday, signed by Willie Bassey, Director Information
office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and made available to Naija News.

The statement noted that the Auditor-General of the Federation has been directed to treat all expenditures that contravene the new guidelines as ineligible.

The President’s directive orders all categories of public office holders not listed in the released list to fly economy and not business class when on official engagements.

The President also added that the delegation of ministers shall no longer exceed four persons while those below ministerial levels are restricted to just three.

The statement reads:

“Henceforth, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are required to submit their Yearly Travel Plans for statutory meetings & 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 Nature & Frequency of Travels,all public funded travels (local & 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 Nigeria’s interest.”

“Except with the express approval of Mr. President; Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Chairmen of Extra-Ministerial Departments, Chief Executive Officers and Directors are restricted to not more than two (2) foreign travels in a quarter.”

“Also, when a Minister is at the head of an official delegation, the size of such delegation shall not exceed 4 including the relevant Director, Schedule Officer and 1 Aide of the Minister. Every other delegation below ministerial level shall be restricted to a maximum of 3.”

“For Class of Air Travels, the President has approved that 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, continue to fly Business Class while other categories of Public Officers are to travel on Economy Class.”

“Also, travel days will no longer attract payment of Estacode 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.”

The Auditor-General of the Federation has been directed to treat all expenditures that contravene these guidelines as ineligible.”