FG Launches BisonFly Project to Slash Air Travel Costs for Civil Servants
By Patience Ikpeme
The Federal Government has initiated the BisonFly Project, a strategic endeavor aimed at optimizing air travel expenditures within the Federal Civil Service through a well-organized, efficient, and technology-driven discount programme.
Inaugurating the Project team in his Abuja office, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, explained that the BisonFly Project is a carefully designed initiative by the Federal Ministry of Finance. Its purpose is to lower the costs associated with air travel across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government by implementing a centralized system powered by technology.
This system will incorporate digital booking tools and unified platforms, ensuring both transparency and efficiency in the arrangement of official travel. The project is anticipated to become operational in the coming months.
The Minister pointed out the significance of institutional reform in achieving enduring cost reductions. “Project BisonFly directly supports our commitment to prudent financial management. By coordinating travel and securing discounted rates, we are using the government’s collective bargaining power to cut expenditure and improve service delivery, just as global institutions like the World Bank have done successfully,” Mr. Edun stated.
Earlier in the proceedings, the Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Raymond Omenka Omachi, commended the Minister’s leadership and foresight in initiating the project. He described the initiative as a benchmark for fiscal responsibility that could serve as a model throughout the public service and beyond.
Project BisonFly was developed through a collaborative effort involving the Ministry’s Efficiency Unit, ICT advisors, and key stakeholders. A dedicated implementation team will oversee the project to ensure its timely rollout and the achievement of measurable outcomes.
The Minister tasked the implementation team with the responsibility of ensuring the complete realization of this important policy initiative of the government. He conveyed the urgency and significance of successfully delivering on the project’s mandate.
The BisonFly Project is in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and public sector reform, supporting the government’s overarching objectives of enhancing efficiency and accountability in public sector operations.
This project represents a notable step forward in achieving fiscal discipline and improving the overall efficiency of the public sector in Nigeria.
