The Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) have thrown its weight behind the decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ban foreign trips for senior government officials.
Chaired by Mr Jesutega Onokpasa, the group argued that the measure would check frivolous use of public funds and curtail the high cost of governance in the country.
TMSG in a statement called on the 36 states governors of the Federation to borrow a leaf from the policy as it would go a long way to stem the tide of leakages in public finances as well as steady the decline in our foreign reserves.
TMSG contended that apart from the beneficial effect to Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves, it will impact positively on the image of the country in the comity of nations.
The group recalled how the economy was managed in a manner suggesting that Nigeria had an inexhaustible foreign exchange reserve, leading to a near collapse of the Naira.
“Almost every department of Government was in a race to outspend one another as officials embark on frivolous foreign trips with costly Estacodes (allowance for official trips) for those on such trips,” it noted.
“Agreements and discussions that should have been handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or our embassies abroad became duplicated at all levels. “The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment was also treated as if it does not exist, as officials scrambled for scarce foreign exchange to spend abroad. This was a part from the cost of airline tickets for such trips.
“Now, it is becoming a different story with the firm resolve of President Tinubu to bring down the cost of governance. In addition to his recent resolve to implement the Oronsaye report by merging government agencies with overlapping functions, Nigeria is set to save a lot of funds from the gross wastage of the past. This is commendable.
“Since the current democratic experience began in 1999, the fear of the cost of governance has been a major source of worry for many. Today, the monster is being tamed by an administration that is ready to prove that without external intervention Nigeria has what it takes to move the nation forward. This is a welcome development that should be applauded by all.”
