SAN FRANCISCO, February 05, (THEWILL) – The federal government Thursday said it will no longer provide funding for international travels and foreign trainings for public officials in the payroll of the federal government, as part of efforts to cut government expenditure, due to the shortfall in revenue.
Nigeria’s revenue which is almost solely dependent on crude oil, is taking a hit from the sharp drop in the price of the commodity.
The FG’s decision was made public in circular to civil servants titled: “Restrictions on Foreign Trainings and International Travels by Public Servants”, by the Head of Service, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, according to a government statement.
“… Government has embarked on a number of measures to help manage the situation. One of such measures is an embargo on foreign trainings and international travels by public servants in all ministries, departments and agencies, including all parastatals, beginning from January 2015,” the statement said.
The circular, according to the statement further said, “… Proposals for participation or attendance of international conferences, seminars, workshops, study tours, trainings, presentations of papers, negotiating/signing of memoranda of understating (MOU) abroad at government expense, shall no longer be allowed except those that are fully funded by sponsoring /invitation organisations…
“No ministry, extra-ministerial office, department, agency or parastatals shall send staff outside Nigeria for training at government expense, whether or not that agency draws funds from the federal government budget or meets its financial needs from revenue generated by itself.
“Public servants invited for foreign trainings/study tour, conferences by any organisation, government or other bilateral/multilateral organisation will be allowed to travel provided that no travel cost, estacode application or any other cost on government is involved.”
The circular however added that “Local training will continue and, where necessary, foreign experts may be invited to conduct trainings for which there are no local experts and requests for international travels is essential and strategic cases must be strictly justified with evidence of sources of funding.”
Analysts expect governments at all levels to announce further cuts as governments continues to struggle to meet expenditure. Several state governments are still struggling to pay salaries of employees.
