FG bans use of conference souvenirs for ministries, MDAs

The Federal Government, in its bid to cut the cost of governance, Sunday, declared that procurement of souvenirs by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, for their events such as conferences and seminars are waste of resources. It has therefore banned them.

The statement also disclosed that the presidential directive, a result of the recommendation of the Efficiency Unit put in place by President Muhammadu Buhari to cost and bring about efficiency, has been forwarded to Secretary of to the Government of the Federation, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Budget and National Planning for implementation by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari.

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The statement reads in part: “The directive which is recognition of the fact that in a period of lean financial resources unnecessary expenditure on overheads such souvenirs are luxuries that the government must be eliminated.

“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.

“Among the guidelines are that they should be in black and white and limited to only one page and in the case of Brochures they should be streamlined to contain only essential information,” it said.

Similarly, the directive also banned the printing of unnecessary publications and books that have short shelf life and have no real value to the concerned public institutions or the citizens.

“MDAs were encouraged to save costs by uploading such publications on their websites which has the added benefit of wider visibility,” the statement said.