President Muhammad Buhari
Buhari
President Muhammad Buhari
Buhari Reduces Foreign Travels for Ministers, Political
Office Holders
In a bid to curb leakages and ensure efficiency in the
management of resources of Government, 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.
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.
Also, when a Minister is at the head of an official delegation,
the size of such delegation shall not exceed four (4) including the
relevant Director, Schedule Officer and one (1) Aide of the
Minister. Every other delegation below ministerial level shall be
restricted to a maximum of three (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, 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 Auditor-General of the Federation has been directed to treat
all expenditures that contravene these guidelines as
ineligible.
Willie Bassey
Director Information
Secretary to the Government of the Federation