President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive banning ministers, heads of agencies, and other government officials from embarking on public-funded foreign trips for three months, effective April 1, 2024.
The announcement, communicated through a letter dated March 12, 2024, and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, underscored Tinubu’s commitment to responsible fiscal management amidst prevailing economic challenges.
According to the letter addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, the decision comes as a response to concerns regarding the escalating costs associated with travel expenses borne by the government’s Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
“Mr President has concerns about the rising cost of travel expenses borne by Ministries, Department and Agencies of Government as well as the growing need for cabinet members and heads of MDAs to focus on their respective mandates for effective service delivery,” the letter stated.
Tinubu’s directive also emphasised government officials’ need to prioritise their mandates for efficient service delivery.
It follows an earlier order issued in January to limit the number of accompanying delegations on local and foreign trips to 25 for local travel and 20 for international trips.
Furthermore, Tinubu mandated that security arrangements at his destination should provide his protection rather than being accompanied by an extensive contingent of security personnel from Abuja. According to the letter, the ban aimed to reduce governance costs.
In line with the temporary ban, government officials intending to undertake public-funded international trips must seek and obtain presidential approval at least two weeks before their departure, with such trips deemed “absolutely necessary.”
“All government officials who intend to go on any publicly funded international trips must seek and obtain Presidential approval at least two weeks prior to embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed absolutely necessary,” the directive stated.
Read: Japa: Nigerians Travel Abroad To Take On Jobs They Refuse To Do At Home – Remi Tinubu
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