President Muhammadu Buhari has warned his Ministers-in-waiting that they must embark on essential foreign trips.

In his dos and don’ts announced to the ministers, Buhari cautioned against flamboyance in their conduct or unnecessary spending. He listed about 11 key things the ministers must abide with to fit into his cabinet.

Some of the dos and don’t as reported by The Nation are: Foreign travels must be duty-related; ministers must operate within lean resources; no more flamboyance; strict adherence to the rule of law; compliance to Civil Service Rules; living above board; cooperation with Permanent Secretaries; no more rancour between ministers and ministers of State; appointment of some aides should be from the civil service; drastic reduction of vehicles in convoys; and all decisions must lead to change.

A Presidency source said: “The ministers have been told to limit their foreign trips to only those that are duty-related, they must relate to their work. And all travels abroad must be approved by the President. No more travelling just for the sake of it.

“As you have heard on Friday, they are expected to reduce the vehicles in their convoys to a reasonable level to save cost.

“The ministers are to do things differently in view of the lean resources at their disposal. Flamboyance and extravagance by cabinet members are gone.

“The Ministers have been given copies of the Civil Service Rules and Regulations. The President wants compliance with the document. He also warned against conflict with Permanent Secretaries.

“On the relationship between ministers and ministers of state, some guidelines have also been provided with a caveat that the President will not tolerate any rift or rancour.”

Responding to a question, the source said President Buhari repeatedly directed the ministers to “adhere strictly to the Rule of Law because we are in a democracy.

“So, no more impunity or abuse of due process. Any infractions will be punished accordingly.

“Above all, decisions and actions by ministers must lead to change in the lives of Nigerians. This is the tallest benchmark the President reeled out to them.”