Jonathan moves to stop reckless spending by govs, ministers, others

Posted by admin Governors, Latest Politics, Ministries Sunday, December 4th, 2011

Miffed by the extravagant lifestyle of key government officials during foreign trips, the Presidency has introduced new initiatives that would monitor the spending habits of all principal office holders while abroad. To this end, the Presidency will today hold a conference for governors, ministers, directors of ministries, council chairmen and other key government officials to acquaint them with what amounts to money laundering.

A memo to this effect was issued by the National Security Adviser, Gen Andrew Owoeye Aziza. It said, “I am directed to in form you that the President,His Excellency, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has endorsed the conduct of a compliance workshop for Governors, Ministers and other senior government officials.”
It explained that the “the purpose of the workshop is to enlighten participants on some salient issues that could have negative effects on the efforts of government at employing economic diplomacy to facilitate development through foreign direct investment.

“This is essentially because the attraction of such investment is often predicated on the perception that the nation’s economy is stable and the government sincere and responsible.” “The presidency’s new move is in line with government renewed effort at overhauling the war on corruption to make government officials more accountable and reduce extravagance among public officials especially while on foreign trips.”

The memo stressed: “It must be noted that the President has taken steps to espouse these virtues by entrenching a culture of accountability. However these efforts are inadvertently being hampered by the spending habits and actions of some government officials especially when on overseas trips. “This is due to the robust nature of the anti-corruption laws of some countries which trigger ‘red flags’ in their systems whenever patterns of frivolous spending are observed.
“Such records are often used as basis for investment advice to their business communities and sometimes employed in taking visa decisions with respect to such officials”.

“Although the workshop is expected to touch on a wide range of issues, it is tailored to specifically focus on anti-bribery/corruption laws and regulations of Nigeria , the United Kingdom, United States of America and European Union. It will also highlight the international expectations of professional behaviour from senior level government officials”.

Speaking further on the conference, a Presidential aide who pleaded for anonymity said the President was moved to tame the spending habits of government officials as a result of repeated complaints profligacy by officials on foreign trip. He said the President was particularly worried that sometime some governors and ministers travel abroad with retinue of aides who engage in shopping spree.

He said “The President has directed that certain categories of people should be assembled to guide on how to stop reckless spending when on foreign trips.”
-Sunwp_posts