By  Omoh Gabriel & Emma Ujah

The Federal Government in the spirit of change will soon limit the use of first class and business class ticket to ministers, permanent secretaries and head of parastatals.

This is coming on the heels of the Efficiency Unit negotiation for bulk discount with local and international airlines to cut on cost of governance, especially cost of travels.

President Muhammadu Buhari flanked by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Water Resources Minister, Engr. Suleiman Adamu (5r) while other Members of Council watched in a group photograph shortly after the swear-in ceremony of the newly composed Federal Executive Council at the Aso Chambers, Presidential Villa, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi Adeshida 11/11/2015

A release from the ministry of Finance by the Special Adviser, Media to the Minister, Mr. Festus Akanbi, said: “In line with its mandate, the Efficiency Unit of the Federal Ministry of Finance is collaborating very closely with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation OSGF, and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, OHCSF, to review the provisions of some extant government Circulars on Overhead Expenses, one of which is on Travels.

“The Efficiency Unit, in its negotiation for discounts with local and international airlines also recommended other measures for reducing the government’s large expenditure on travels to the OSGF.

“This includes the need to restrict Business Class travel to Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Chairmen of Federal Government Committees, as well as Chairmen and Chief Executives of Parastatals and Agencies.    “In the past, some government officials, who should have been on Business Class usually travelled First Class, while many others travelled Business Class instead of Economy.

“The second recommendation bordered on the need to reduce the frequency of travels by ensuring that Board and Committee events such as meetings, workshops and conferences in Nigeria are held in locations where the institutions or persons participating in the event are domiciled.