The directive for ministers, directors-general and other top government officials to submit travel plans for clearance has received a nod from President Muhammadu Buhari.
Mr Willie Bassey, the Director of Information to Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, stated this in a statement yesterday.
Bassey stressed that henceforth, “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”. Some of the directives in the statement are:
Without approval from the President, ministers, permanent secretaries, chief executive officers and directors in the ministry are restricted to not more than two (2) foreign travels in a quarter.
One of the substances contained in the directive signed by the President is that when a minister is head of a delegation, the size of such delegation need not exceed four.
All public-funded travels (local and foreign) must be strictly for official purposes backed with documentary proof.
The statement said the development is to avert financial malpractices and ensure judicious management of resources.
The Auditor-General of the Federation has also been directed to treat all expenditures that flout these guidelines as ineligible.
“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 said.
“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 secure approvals on specific travels, as contained in the plan, from the appropriate quarters.
“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.”
The President, among other things also approved for ministers, permanent secretaries, special advisers, senior special assistants to the President, chairmen of extra-ministerial departments and chief executive officers of corporations, who are entitled, to continue to fly business class while other categories of public officers are to travel on economy class.
Recall that the directive was churned out less than one week after President Muhammadu Buhari prevented his cabinet members from foreign trips to ensure prompt budget defence.
