Festus Keyamo suspends public-funded foreign travels by officials in the ministry

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, has directed agencies and officers under the ministry to suspend all approved foreign trips, with effect from March 21, 2024.

A statement signed by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Dr Emmauel Meribole, yesterday, said the directive was in compliance with President Bola Tinubu’s instruction to suspend public-funded foreign trips by ministers and government officials.

It also said officers who intend to go on a public-funded international trip must seek and obtain presidential approval at least two weeks before.

The statement reads: “I am directed to inform you to suspend all foreign trips approved by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development for all Officers in the Ministry and Agencies under Aviation with effect from March 21, 2024. This is in furtherance of a Presidential directive to suspend public-funded trips by government officials at all levels.

“Any officer who intends to go on any public funded international trip must seek and obtain Presidential approval at least two weeks prior to embarking on such trips which must be deemed absolutely necessary.

“All previously given approvals by the Minister are hereby put on hold from today March 21, 2024. Please, direct all your DFAs not to process any flight tickets and estacodes for now. Please, this is for strict compliance.”