As part of efforts to reduce the cost of running the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, the Federal Government on Wednesday night banned all top officials of government from flying first class during official trips.
The federal government, henceforth, mandates all top officials of government such as ministers, permanent secretaries, Chairmen of Federal Government Committees, as well as Chairmen and Chief Executives of Parastatals and Agencies are to travel on business class.
The Media Adviser to the finance minister, Mr Festus Akanbi, confirmed the development in a statement issued in Abuja.
In the past, some government officials who should have been on business class usually travelled on first class, while many others travelled business class instead of economy class.
Akanbi, in the statement said the new directive is contained in a circular on review of overhead expenses released by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
He said the move is one of the recommendations made by the Efficiency Unit which was set up by the Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, last last year aimed at reducing overhead costs.
The unit was set up to promote transparency and reduce government’s large expenditure through procurement in the various ministries, departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
There are strong indications that the move would lead to a sharp drop in travel expenditure if the provisions of the new circular are implemented.
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