Federal Govt Orders Scrutiny Of MDAs’ Requests For Foreign Travels

Federal government has charged protocol officers in charge of international travel desks in ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to scrutinise requests for international travels and foreign training.

The head of the civil service of the federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, who made the call during a one-day workshop on requirements for processing requests for approval for international travels and foreign training, said adherence to travel guidelines would help the government save costs.

She charged the officers to be diligent in processing such requests and always ensure to refer to extant circulars and relevant provisions of the Public Service Rules (PSRs).

Yemi-Esan who was represented by the permanent secretary, special duties office, Engr. Faruk Yusuf, also advised that even when international engagements come impromptu, those concerned should, always, inform the permanent secretary, special duties office – OHCSF on time.

The head of the service added that because retrospective approval is not tenable, it should be noted that all requests are processed on merits, as far as it is strategic and exigent to the MDAs’ mandate and budgeted for in the subsisting Appropriation Act.

Earlier, the director of civil service inspectorate department in the OHCSF, Otelemete Olusanya, said it has been observed over time that travel desk officers, in processing/forwarding requests to the head of the service of the federation for approvals, have not been accompanying their requests with the appropriate and necessary documents, thereby making timely processing, difficult.