In fulfillment of plans to curb leakages and ensure efficiency in the management of government resources, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday approved cuts in the number of travels by Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Chairmen of Extra-Ministerial Departments, Chief Executive Officers and Directors, to not more than two (2) foreign travels in a quarter.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation SGF, Boss Mustapha, who announced to the cuts, said the policy which will be “immediately implemented” is part of the “additional cost saving measures aimed at instilling financial discipline and prudence, particularly, in the area of official travels”
Buhari had while presenting his 2020 budget to the National Assembly last week stated that “the respective Heads of MDAs must ensure strict adherence to government regulations regarding expenditure control measures.
This is to help government work within the budget limits, as 2020 budget deficit is projected to be N2.18 trillion
The deficit represents 1.52 percent of estimated GDP, well below the 3 percent threshold set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2007, and in line with the ERGP target of 1.96 percent.
Buhari had stated that “fiscal reforms shall introduce new performance management frameworks to regulate the cost to revenue ratios for Government Owned Enterprises, which shall come under significant scrutiny. We will reward exceptional revenue and cost management performance, while severe consequences will attend failures to achieve agreed revenue targets”
He also announced government plans to sustain efforts in managing personnel costs.
“Accordingly, I have directed the stoppage of the salary of any Federal Government staff that is not captured on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) platform by the end of October 2019.
“All agencies must obtain the necessary approvals before embarking on any fresh recruitment and any contraventions of these directives shall attract severe sanctions.
Federal Government is also expected to carry overhead costs projected at N426.6 billion following creation of new Ministries.
Mustapha, in a statement signed by Director Information, office of the SGF, Willie Bassey, said , “except with the express approval of Mr. President, Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Chairmen of Extra-Ministerial Departments, Chief Executive Officers and Directors are restricted to not more than two (2) foreign travels in a quarter”
“Also, when a Minister is at the head of an official delegation, the size of such delegation shall not exceed four (4) including the relevant Director, Schedule Officer and one (1) Aide of the Minister. Every other delegation below ministerial level shall be restricted to a maximum of three (3).
On the Class of Air Travels, the President also approved that Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants to the President, Chairmen of Extra-Ministerial Departments and Chief Executive Officers of Parastatals who are entitled, continue to fly Business Class, while other categories of Public Officers are to travel on Economy Class.
“Also, travel days will no longer attract payment of Estacode Allowances as duration of official trips shall be limited to only the number of days of the event as contained in the supporting documents to qualify for public funding.
“Henceforth, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are required to submit their Yearly Travel Plans for statutory meetings and engagements 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 for express clearance within the first quarter of the fiscal year, before implementation.
“They are further required to make their presentation using the existing template and also secure approvals on specific travels as contained in the plan, from the appropriate quarters.
“On the Nature and Frequency of Travels, all public funded travels (local and foreign), must be strictly for official purposes backed with documentary evidence.
The SGF added that “ all foreign travels must be for highly essential statutory engagements that are beneficial to the interest of the country, even as the Auditor-General of the Federation has been directed to treat all expenditures that contravene these guidelines as ineligible.
The SGF has also alerted Nigerians to unrelenting activities of faceless persons using the social media and other platforms to lure unsuspecting members of the Public to submit their Curriculum Vitae at a fee, to a non-existing desk at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, for Federal Government appointments.
He disclosed that the Office is similarly aware of inaccurate information being peddled around regarding constituency projects being executed under its supervision.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation neither executes nor supervises constituency projects.
“Also, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has become aware of numerous forged introductory letters purportedly issued from his office seeking diverse favours from individuals and corporate entities for personal gains.
“The general public is by this notice advised to beware of the clandestine activities of these dubious and fraudulent persons and their cohorts going about to fleece unsuspecting members of the public. Assuredly, the Government has evolved measures to track these unpatriotic and faceless persons and will bring to justice anyone found engaging in these unwholesome activities.
Onyinye Nwachukwu & Tony Ailemen, Abuja
