Buhari Bans Ministers From Traveling Overseas

President Muhammadu Buhari has barred his ministers and heads of government agencies from embarking on foreign trips.

Buhari issued a directive to the ministers and agency heads through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, barring them from all international travels.

The directive, which was announced by the director of information in the office of the SGF, Willie Bassey, said it was to enable ministers to personally lead the process of budget defence at the National Assembly.

The statement said, “The suspension of such travels will enable Functionaries and Agencies of the Executive Arm to provide the required cooperation with the Legislature in order to ensure timely passage of the 2020 Appropriation Bill.

“Honourable Ministers who have already secured approval to travel are by this directive, required to revalidate such approvals with Mr. President after confirming the Schedule of Appearances with the relevant Committees of the National Assembly.”

Bassey said the president further directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to liaise with the relevant committees of the National Assembly for their schedules of dudget defence.

Meanwhile, the development is coming three days after President Buhari presented a N10.33 trillion 2020 budget before a joint session of the National Assembly.

Buhari said the budget of “Sustaining Growth and Job Creation” will strengthen the nation’s macroeconomic environment as it would be used to invest in critical infrastructure and human capital development, among others.

The president had during the presentation said the 202o budget oil revenue will be anchored on $57 per barrel while its tax revenue will be anchored on 7.5% VAT rate.

In the budget, N125 billion was allocated to the National Assembly while N110 billion was allocated to the Judiciary.

Other sectoral allocations were given as: Works and Housing – N262 billion, Transportation – N123 billion, UBEC – N112 billion, Defence – N100 billion, Agriculture – N83 billion, Water Resources – N82 billion, Education – N48 billion, Health – N46 billion, North East Development Commission – N38 billion, SIPs – N30 billion, FCT – N28 billion and Niger Delta – N24 billion.