In a bid to cut cost of governance, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the immediate implementation of further cost saving actions targeted at imposing financial discipline and prudence, particularly, in the area of official travels for public service holders.
Henceforth, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are expected to submit their Yearly Travel Plans for statutory meetings and engagements to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) and the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) for express clearance within the first quarter of the fiscal year, before implementation.
The directive also required that the nature and frequency of travels (local and foreign) that are public fund must be strictly for official purposes backed with documentary evidence.
This directive was contained in a statement issued by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).
According to the statement, “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 Auditor-General of the Federation has also been directed to treat all expenditures that contravene these guidelines as ineligible.
