Jonathan Places Ministers, Public Officers Under Watch Over Lavish Lifestyles

FECApparently piqued with the ostentatious lifestyle of some members of his cabinet, President Goodluck Jonathan has directed the security agencies, particularly the anti-graft commissions, to keep an eagle eye on ministers and public officials in the habit of throwing lavish parties at home or abroad.

This directive is coming on the heels of the recent removal of the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr. AbdulAzeez Musa, who allegedly threw a lavish wedding ceremony for his daughter in Dubai, United Arab Emirates a fortnight ago.

President Jonathan said such ostentatious ministers must abide by the Code of Conduct for public officers or throw in the towel immediately.

He also directed the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Bukar Goni Aji, to write a letter to all permanent secretaries, directors and civil servants to put an end to such habits.

It was learnt that a visibly angry Jonathan fired the warning to his Ministers at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Wednesday following security reports on the extravagant lifestyles of some ministers and public servants.

The security reports detailed how some ministers and public officers had been ferrying their friends and guests abroad for birthdays, marriage, chieftaincy, house warming and funeral parties.

Information Nigeria recalls that this is the second time cabinet members would be warned against reckless spending.

The first time was at a FEC meeting in 2009 when the late President Umaru Yar’Adua frowned at the 25th wedding anniversary of a minister where about N125 million was spent on entertaining guests.