Buhari Slashes Estacode On Trips For Ministers And Heads Of Govt Parastatal, Asks Them To Seek Travel Clearance – TheNigerialawyer

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a directive for
ministers, director-generals and other top government officials to
submit travel plans for clearance.

This was announced on Wednesday in a statement signed by Willie
Bassey, director of information to Boss Mustapha, secretary to the
government of the federation (SGF).

The government said this development is in a bid to curb
leakages and ensure efficiency in the management of 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,” the statement read.

“Henceforth, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) 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 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.”

He said when a minister is head of a delegation, the size of
such delegation should not exceed four, including the relevant
director, schedule officer and one aide of the minister.

The president also approved for 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, to 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 statement read.

In the public service rules, provisions are made for travel
allowances, known as ‘estacode,’ for government officials.

The auditor-general of the federation has also been directed to
treat all expenditures that contravene these guidelines as
ineligible.

Earlier, Chris Ngige, minister of labour, had said the
government would review the salaries and allowances of political
office holders across the country.