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Nigeria Bans Foreign Travel for Ministers
In an effort to tackle rising travel expenses and enforce fiscal discipline, Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu Wednesday announced a three-month suspension on publicly funded foreign trips for ministers and government officials. The directive, set to commence on April 1, comes in response to concerns over escalating travel costs among public officials, as stated by the president’s chief of staff.
This measure is seen as part of President Tinubu’s broader strategy to address the economic challenges facing Nigeria, including a severe cost-of-living crisis that has resulted in widespread hardship.
President Tinubu, who has been at the helm since May 2023, has been criticized for the frequency of his overseas trips. Notably, his administration faced backlash for sponsoring a large delegation to the COP28 climate conference in Dubai last November. Reports suggest that the president’s travel expenses in the first six months of his term surpassed the budgeted amount by 36%.
Under the new restrictions, only foreign trips considered absolutely necessary will be authorized, and such trips will require the president’s approval well in advance. The initiative is also intended to ensure that government officials remain focused on their duties and contribute effectively to national development.
Despite the limitations on his officials, President Tinubu has not indicated any plans to reduce his own foreign travels. His representatives have previously defended these trips as essential for addressing the country’s economic issues.
Tanzania VP Threatens Resignation Over Prolonged Water Crisis
Tanzania’s Vice-President, Philip Mpango, has issued a stark warning amidst a prolonged water crisis affecting residents in the northern Mwanga district. Mpango directly accused contractors overseeing a major water supply project in the region of significant delays in its completion.
“The project, which has been ongoing for close to 20 years with a budget exceeding $100,000 (£79,000), is still far from completion,” Mpango stated.
In a bold move, he declared, “If this project fails to provide water to the locals by June, I will step down. I cannot come here again and tell citizens to wait further for this water; water is life.”
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