Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has ordered the suspension of foreign trips by top government officials from the state for the rest of the year.
The latest development was made known in a statement signed by the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, and made available to journalists on Monday in Osogbo.
The statement disclosed that the decision was reached at the end of the State Executive Council meeting held last Thursday, and foreign trips could only be undertaken if there was a direct emergency and would be authorised by Adeleke.
The Governor also instructed that the state expenditure should be focused on implementing critical projects across the sectors.
He urged cabinet ministers and all other administration members to show they are willing to make personal sacrifices in light of the state’s dire financial circumstances by avoiding excessive spending.
The statement reads, “Foreign trips for top officials for the rest of the year are hereby suspended unless there is a direct emergency to be authorised by the Governor.
“The Governor directed the immediate suspension of foreign travels by top officials. He urged the application of virtual meetings for attendance and participation at international business and investment events.
“We must sustain the momentum of our service delivery by avoiding excessive spending on recurrent and overheads.
“Our needs from office to accommodation are much but our resources are limited. So we have to devise a coping mechanism pending the time our funding situation will improve.”
To enforce efficiency in the governance process, the Governor also directed the Head of Service to prepare a memo to streamline the relationship between the Commissioners and Special Advisers.
He added, “While memos by Special Advisers must pass through the Permanent Secretary to the Commissioners, the Commissioners must ensure fair play and accommodating spirit.”
