Nigeria Plans Reduction In Size Of Its UN Delegation
As Nigeria struggles to reduce the high cost of running government, there are emerging indications that the expediture incurred by the system on foreign trips by federal officials is to drop significantly.
The decision to downsize the number of Federal officials who are planning to travel to the United States for the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) was taken personally by President Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu directed the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately discontinue moves to process travel visas for officials intending to take part in UNGA which is due to kick-start in New York next month.
Insiders reveal that restrictions ordered by the President is part of a new strategic plan to reduce the cost of governance in Nigeria.
Ajuri Ngelale, Presidential spokesman who dropped the hint Monday afternoon said persons without clear evidence of specific roles while in the US need not leave Nigeria.
The presidency warned that sharp practices would not be tolerated, saying its plan to prevent the issuance of visas to scheming officials has been communicated to the US Mission in Nigeria.
Ngelale also disclosed that Nigeria’s Permanent Mission in New York has received further directives to prevent the accreditation of government officials who are not on the protocol list.
“By this directive of the President, all Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies are mandated to ensure that all officials, who are approved for inclusion in the UNGA delegation, strictly limit the number of aides and associated staff partaking in the event.
“Where excesses or anomalies in this regard are identified, they will be removed during the final verification process.
“The President wishes to affirm that, henceforth, government officials and government expenditure must reflect the prudence and sacrifice being made by well-meaning Nigerians across the nation,” the Presidential Spokesman explained.
In the meantime, President Joe Biden had expressed his willingness to meet with President Tinubu on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.
Correspondents say the gesture of the US President towards his Nigerian counterpart reflects what looks like growing diplomatic ties between both countries.