Over the months, a series of expensive foreign trips have been recorded. While some argued that the trips were not funded by the government, others pegged irrelevance to it and clamoured for a reduction in foreign trips for maximum usage of public funds.
According to a presidential directive dated March 12, 2024, signed by the Chief of Staff to the president, Femi Gbajabiamila, the directive will take effect on April 1, 2024.
Some of the concerns raised by the president include:
- There are concerns about the rising cost of travel expenses borne by Ministries, Departments, 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, 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 April 1, 2024. This temporary measure is aimed at cost reduction in governance and is intended as a cost-saving measure without compromising government functions.
- All government officials who intend to go on any publicly funded international trip must first seek and obtain presidential approval at least two weeks prior to embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed absolutely necessary.
On the premise, foreign trips by MDAs and other government officials will be drastically reduced unless, of course, deemed absolutely necessary.
By Chidimma NWAFOR
