President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed a provisional ban on all public funded international trips for all federal government officials at all levels, for an initial period of three months, beginning from April 1, 2024.
This was made known in a memo issued by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila and addressed to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
Tinubu noted that the decision was as a result of the prevailing economic realities been experienced in the country.
He stressed that there was the need to ensure that all public officials in leadership positions focus on their core mandates for effective service delivery instead of getting distracted by such trips.
The memo, entitled: “Presidential Directive to Suspend Public Funded Foreign Trips By Government Officials,“ further disclosed that any of such publicly funded trips are put on hold for a period of three months.
It added in parts, “The above subject matter refers: Mr. President has concerns about the rising cost of travel expenses borne by Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) 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.
Considering the current economic challenges and the need for responsible fiscal management, I am writing to communicate Mr. President’s directive to place a temporary ban on all public funded international trips for all federal government officials at all levels, for an initial period of three months from April 1, 2024”.
Meanwhile, this development is coming days after the expression of public outcry over the execution of a plan by the Accountant General of the Federation, commissioners of finance of the 36 states of the federation and other government officials, to travel out of the country for the purpose of holding a workshop in the United Kingdom.
It was reportedly gathered that the Office held the workshop on Public Financial Management and International Public Sector Accounting Standards in London, UK at Copthorne Tara Hotel, Kensington, from March 4 to March 9, 2024.
