*President Muhammadu Buhari’s Cuts To The Cost of Governance: Travel Series*
In a bid to curb leakages of government resources, President Muhammadu Buhari has approved for immediate implementation the following cost saving measures aimed at instilling financial discipline and prudence.
*Government Trips Must Now Have Documentary Evidence*
– All public funded travel trips must be strictly for official purposes and must be backed with documented evidence/proof.
*Government Officials: Only 8 Trips A Year Allowed*
– Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Chairmen of Extra-Ministerial Departments, Chief Executive Officers and Directors are restricted to only two (2) foreign travels in a quarter. That is 8 foreign trips in a year.
*Not More Than 4 People Are Allowed For Entourage*
– Ministers are allowed a maximum of 4 people including the relevant Director, Schedule Officer and one (1) Aide of the Minister.
– Below ministerial level maximum of three (3) people
*Fly Economy, Business Class limited to only topmost government officials*
– Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants to the President, Chairmen of Extra-Ministerial Departments and Chief Executive Officers of Parastatals are allowed to fly business Class.
– Other categories of Public Officers are to travel on Economy Class.
*No More Extended stays*
– Duration of official trips is limited to only the number of days of the event as contained in the supporting documents to qualify for public funding.
*No More Estacodes On Travel Days*
– Estacode allowances will no longer be paid to officials for days of travel
*Ministers and Government Officials Must Submit Yearly Travel Plans*
– Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are required to submit their Yearly Travel Plans for review& clearance 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
– Submission of plans are to be made within the first quarter of the year (Jan – Mar).
– Plans are to be submitted with supporting document as evidence/ proof for approval.
– All travel arrangement that do not follow this guideline or met the criteria will not be paid for by the Government.
See graphic details below:
