As the Nigerian economy continues to bites hard, President Bola Tinubu has barred all public officials like ministers and head of agencies from international trips from government funded pocket. The directive was conveyed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, in a letter transmitted to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume office. According to the letter “current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management” are the reasons for the temporary ban on international travel funded by taxpayers.
The executive said any exemptions would require express presidential approvals which must be sought two weeks ahead of the planned trip.
The letter partly reads, “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.
“Considering the current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management, I am writing to communicate Mr Presideni’s directive to place a temporary ban on all public funded international trips for all Federal Government officials at all levels, for an initial period of three (3) months from Is April 2024.
“This temporary measure is aimed at cost reduction in governance and intended as a cost-saving measure without compromising government functions.
“All government officials who intend to go on any public funded international trips must seek and obtain Presidential approval at least two (2) weeks prior to embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed absolutely necessary.”
The letter is coming at the heal of a travel jamboree sponsored by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, OAGF, which sparked reaction amongst Nigerians.
The OAGF held a workshop on Public Financial Management and International Public Sector Accounting Standards in London, UK.
It held at Copthorne Tara Hotel, Kensington London, between March 4 and March 9, 2024.
The workshop, titled “Public Financial Management and IPSAS,” brought together state commissioners of finance and officials from the OAGF that some stakeholders considered it as wasteful spending.
Meanwhile, other Nigerians had expressed reservation over the workshop at a time the country is battling forex crisis.
As the Nigerian economy continues to bites hard, President Bola Tinubu has barred all public officials like ministers and head of agencies from international trips from government funded pocket.
The directive was conveyed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, in a letter transmitted to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume office.
According to the letter “current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management” are the reasons for the temporary ban on international travel funded by taxpayers.
The executive said any exemptions would require express presidential approvals which must be sought two weeks ahead of the planned trip.
The letter partly reads, “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.
“Considering the current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management, I am writing to communicate Mr Presideni’s directive to place a temporary ban on all public funded international trips for all Federal Government officials at all levels, for an initial period of three (3) months from Is April 2024.
“This temporary measure is aimed at cost reduction in governance and intended as a cost-saving measure without compromising government functions.
“All government officials who intend to go on any public funded international trips must seek and obtain Presidential approval at least two (2) weeks prior to embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed absolutely necessary.”
The letter is coming at the heal of a travel jamboree sponsored by the office of the Accountant General of the Federation, OAGF, which sparked reaction amongst Nigerians.
The OAGF held a workshop on Public Financial Management and International Public Sector Accounting Standards in London, UK.
It held at Copthorne Tara Hotel, Kensington London, between March 4 and March 9, 2024.
The workshop, titled “Public Financial Management and IPSAS,” brought together state commissioners of finance and officials from the OAGF that some stakeholders considered it as wasteful spending.
Meanwhile, other Nigerians had expressed reservation over the workshop at a time the country is battling forex crisis.
