Buhari Places Travel Restrictions On Incoming Ministers

ministerial nominees

President Muhammadu Buhari has restricted ministers’ foreign travels to only “essential ones”.

Speaking at their retreat at the weekend, Buhari said the “essential ones” must be “duty-related”.

He directed the ministers to adhere to the rule of law in everything they do, while cautioning against flamboyance in their conduct or spending.

According to a document obtained by Vanguard, the President listed about 11 key things the ministers  must abide with to fit into his cabinet. They include:

– Foreign travels must be duty-related

– Ministers must operate within lean resources

– No more flamboyance

– Strict adherence to the rule of law

– Compliance to Civil Service Rules

– Living above board;

– Cooperation with Permanent Secretaries;

– No more  rancour between ministers and ministers of State;

– Appointment of some aides should be from the civil service;

– Drastic reduction of vehicles in convoys;

– All decisions must lead to change.

According to Vanguard, a Presidency source said: “The ministers have been told to limit their foreign trips to only those that are duty-related, they must relate to their work. And all travels abroad must be approved by the President. No more travelling just for the sake of it.

“As you have heard on Friday, they are expected to reduce the vehicles in their convoys to a reasonable level to save cost.

“The ministers are to do things differently in view of the lean resources at their disposal. Flamboyance and extravagance by cabinet members are gone.

“The Ministers have been given copies of the Civil Service Rules and Regulations. The President wants compliance with the document. He also warned against conflict with Permanent Secretaries.

“On the relationship between ministers and ministers of state, some guidelines have also been provided with a caveat that the President will not tolerate any rift or rancour.”