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'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - President Bola Tinubu in a decisive move aimed at reducing the cost of governance, has issued a new directive limiting the number of vehicles used in official convoys by Ministers, Ministers of State, and Heads of Federal Agencies. The measure is designed to curtail excess spending and enforce fiscal responsibility across all levels of government.
According to a statement released on October 24, 2024, by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the directive restricts government officials to a maximum of three vehicles in their official convoys. The President also made it clear that no additional vehicles would be assigned for their movements.
This latest cost-cutting initiative builds on previous actions taken by Tinubu earlier in the year. In January, he reduced the size of his entourage on foreign trips from 50 to 20 officials and limited local trips to 25 officials. Similarly, the Vice President's entourage was scaled down to just five officials for international travels and 15 for domestic ones.
The new directive also extends to security details. Ministers, ministers of state, and heads of agencies are now permitted a maximum of five security personnel. The security team will comprise four police officers and one Department of State Services (DSS) officer, with no additional security personnel allowed.
In a further step to streamline security deployments, President Tinubu instructed the National Security Adviser to engage with the Military, Paramilitary, and Security Agencies to determine an appropriate reduction in vehicle and security personnel deployment for their officials.
These changes are to be implemented with immediate effect, signaling the administration's commitment to cutting down unnecessary expenses and fostering a leaner, more efficient government. The directive highlights President Tinubu's determination to reduce the financial burden of governance and redirect resources toward essential public services.
This latest action aligns with Tinubu’s broader agenda to address the country’s economic challenges and improve accountability within the federal government. By cutting down on excessive convoy sizes and reducing security personnel, the administration hopes to set a new standard for fiscal discipline across all sectors.
### Immediate Compliance Required
All affected officials have been ordered to comply with the new directive immediately, reflecting the urgency of the administration’s cost-reduction strategy. The President’s office emphasized the seriousness of these measures, which are part of ongoing efforts to reduce wasteful government expenditure and enhance public trust in the leadership.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with economic challenges, this move is seen as a bold step in ensuring that government officials lead by example in the efficient use of resources. President Tinubu’s leadership in curtailing excesses within the government could pave the way for further reforms in public sector spending.
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