FG Bans Distribution of Souvenirs at Govt Events

The federal government has banned the procurement and distribution of bags, T-shirts and other souvenirs at events such as conferences and seminars funded by federal ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Director of Information, Federal Ministry of Finance, Salisu Dambatta, he said President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the ban following recommendations by the Efficiency Unit.

It said the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, forwarded the directive to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the Ministers of Finance and Budget and National Planning  for implementation.

According to the statement, the ban was in continuation of the on-going cost-cutting and efficiency drive in the utilisation of public funds by the present administration.

President Buhari had set up the Efficiency Unit to review all federal government’s overhead expenditure to reduce wastage, promote efficiency and ensure quantifiable savings for the country.

The Minister of Finance, Head of Service of the Federation, Accountant-General of the Federation, Auditor-General of the Federation and Director, Budget Office of the Federation are members of the unit.

The unit identified procurement as the area to begin the execution of its mandate of reducing overhead costs and wastage resources.

The Efficiency Unit, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), had already recorded success in cutting government overhead cost in areas such as travels, welfare, honorarium, sitting allowance, training, adverts and publicity as well as refreshments.

It had gone a step further to relocate some of federal government’s MDAs to recovered looted properties as ways to reduce overhead cost.

“The directive which is a recognition of the fact that in a period of lean financial resources, unnecessary expenditure on overheads such souvenirs are luxuries that the government must eliminate.

“This will enable release of funds for infrastructure and services such as health and education that would have direct positive impact on the well being of the citizenry and promote economic development.

“The directive also contained specific guidelines that would reduce the cost of printing invitation cards, programme of events, brochures, folders and note pads” it said.

 

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