Abuja, March 21, 2024 – The Federal Government has placed temporary ban on all public funded foreign trips for all Federal Government officials with effect from April 1, 2024.
The suspension was announced via a circular dated March 12, 2024 from the State House and addressed to Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, for onward circulation to all the Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs).
The President said the suspension of foreign trips was part of his administration’s cost reduction measures and intended to make all heads of MDAs “focus on effective service delivery, especially with regards to the mandates assigned to them”.
“Mr President has concerns about the rising cost of travel borne by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the government as well as the growing needs for Cabinet members and heads of MDAs to focus in 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 from 1st April, 2024.
“This temporary measure is aimed at cost reduction in governance and intended as a cost saving measure without compromising governance functions,” the circular titled, ‘Presidential Directive to Suspend Public Funded Foreign Trips by Government Officials’ stated.
The circular also directed all government officials who intend to go on any public-funded international trip to seek and obtain presidential approval at least two weeks prior to embarking on any such trip, which must be deemed absolutely necessary. (GBN)
