In a bold statement via his verified X handle on Wednesday, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has advocated for a more substantial 60% cut in the overall cost of governance at the Federal level. This stance follows President Bola Tinubu's recent decision to reduce the number of individuals on official travel entourages by 60%, a move described by Obi as "just scratching the surface."
According to Ajuri Ngelale, the presidential spokesperson, the reduction in travel entourage size is part of a broader cost-cutting initiative within the presidency. This measure is set to impact key government offices, including the president, vice-president, first lady, ministers, and heads of agencies.
However, Obi contends that while the reduction in travel entourage is a positive step, its impact on overall savings is minimal. He calls for a comprehensive approach, urging a revision of the 2024 budget to eliminate wasteful and unnecessary expenses.
"The just announced 60% cut in the size of federal official entourages on travels is one positive step towards the reduction of the cost of governance and a way of halting wastage," stated Obi. "But this measure is just scratching the surface as it is limited in scope and can only lead to a negligible saving."
Obi emphasizes the need for a parallel 60% reduction in federal official overseas trips and the size of delegations. He argues that only by implementing such broad-based cuts can the government achieve meaningful savings. These savings, according to Obi, should be directed towards funding critical sectors such as education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
In his call for transparency, Obi urges the government to provide details on the expected savings from the reduced travel entourages and how these savings will be allocated. He stresses that only informed and purposeful cost-cutting measures can bring about the transformative impact needed in the current economic climate.
