As part of a larger initiative to curb the cost of governance in Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive aimed at reducing unnecessary expenses related to government officials’ travel to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. The directive, announced by the Presidency on Monday, outlines specific measures to streamline the process and ensure responsible use of resources.
Key points of the directive include:
- Visa Processing Freeze: The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been instructed to halt the processing of visas for government officials planning to attend the UNGA in New York unless they can provide proof of direct participation in the UNGA’s official schedule of activities.
- Strict Accreditation: Nigeria’s Permanent Mission in New York has been directed to only accredit government officials who are on the protocol lists forwarded by the approving authority. This measure is intended to prevent unauthorized participation.
- Limiting Delegation Size: All Federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies have been mandated to ensure that government officials approved for inclusion in the UNGA delegation limit the number of aides and associated staff accompanying them.
- Excess Removal: Any instances of excesses or anomalies identified during the verification process will result in the removal of officials or staff from the delegation.
- Prudent Government Spending: The directive underscores the need for government officials and government expenditure to align with the prudent and sacrificial efforts being made by citizens across the nation.
The aim of these measures is to promote responsible government spending, curb wasteful expenses, and ensure that government officials’ participation in international events like the UNGA is directly aligned with Nigeria’s national priorities.