President Muhammadu Buhari has announced the cutting down of foreign
trips and estacode for Ministers and top government officials,
directing them to henceforth submit travel plans for clearance.
A statement signed by the Director of Information, Willie Bassey, to The
Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said the
development is in a bid to curb leakages and ensure efficiency in the
management of resources.
The president also approved Business Class seats for for ministers,
permanent secretaries, special advisers, senior special assistants to
the president, chairmen of extra-ministerial departments and chief
executive officers of parastatals while other categories of public
officers are to travel on economy class.
The statement reads:
“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 read.
“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 also secure approvals on specific travels as contained in
the plan, from the appropriate quarters.
“On the Nature and Frequency of Travels, all public funded travels
(local and foreign), must be strictly for official purposes backed with
documentary evidence.
“In this regard, 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.
“Also, 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.”