Hold onto your passports, folks, because President Bola Tinubu is shaking up the status quo! In a bold move aimed at cutting down on governance expenses, the President has slapped a 3-month suspension on government-funded overseas travel for ministers, agency heads, and other officials.
Findwhosabi News has the exclusive scoop, revealing that this prohibition, set to kick off on April 1, 2024, comes straight from the top. A letter dated March 12, 2024, signed by none other than Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, and addressed to George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, lays down the law.
According to the letter, President Tinubu is deeply concerned about the soaring costs of travel expenses borne by government bodies. With economic challenges looming large, the focus is on responsible fiscal management and effective service delivery.
In the words of the letter, “Mr. President has concerns about the rising cost of travel expenses borne by Ministries, Department 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.”
But wait, there’s more! This isn’t just a temporary measure – it’s a game-changer in governance. For any public-funded foreign travel, officials must now secure presidential approval at least two weeks in advance, with the trip deemed ‘necessary’.
“This temporary measure is aimed at cost reduction in governance and intended as a cost-saving measure without compromising government functions,” the letter emphasizes.
So, if you’re a government official eyeing that international trip, you better have your paperwork in order and that presidential stamp of approval ready to go. It’s a new era of fiscal responsibility in governance, and President Tinubu is leading the charge. Stay tuned for more updates on this groundbreaking development!
nalin wolfenden
akiria bassa