Nigerian govt says it has saved N125bn from travels, souvenirs, others in 2 years

Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun, on Sunday said the Federal Government has saved a sum of N125 billion from cost cutting on travel allowances, sitting allowances, souvenirs, and other recurrent expenditures like office stationeries in 2 years.

The Minister said the ministry was able to save the amount from recurring activities through the issuance of Circulars to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by its Efficiency Unit.

The Efficiency Unit was set up in November, 2015, to reduce wastages, promote effecieeffeciency, ensure prudence and add value for money in all government expeditures.

Giving a breakdown of the amount in a statement by the Special Adviser, Media and Communications to the Minister of Finance, Oluyinka Akintunde, the Minister stated that the government saved the sum of N91 billion on travel and transport and N34 billion on office stationeries and computer consumables between 2016 and 2017.

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According to her, N34 billion was saved from travel allowances in 2016 while N57 billion was saved in 2017.

Also, N24 billion was saved on expenditures on office stationeries and computer consumables in 2016 while the government further saved a sum of N10 billion for the same item in 2017.

“The E-Unit has embarked on several cost cutting initiatives that has influenced the issuance of Circulars to all MDAs by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federationm and the National Salaries, Wages and Income Commission,” the statement read.

Adeosun said the ministry was introducing Price Checker, a web-based platform being developed, with Bureau of Public Procurement to promote transparency and eliminate sharp practices in the procurement process.

 

By Oluwasegun Olakoyenikan

 

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