Federal Govt Urges Strict Compliance With Guidelines For Foreign Travels

The federal government has charged protocol officers in charge of international travel desks in its ministries, departments and agencies, (MDAs), to thoroughly scrutinise requests for international travels and foreign trainings.

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 trainings, 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 in the OHCSF on time.

The Head of 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 MDA’s 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.

In their separate presentations, the representative of the Budget Office of the Federation, Nuhu Mahmud, noted that the formulation of the budget is a priority of every government, adding that no country can cater for all of its needs.

Similarly, the representative of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) John Odey, said that the Nigerian government was determined to save costs in the prevailing economic situation and to have more funds available for other priority projects.