The East African Community (EAC) has saved $3.4 million from cost-cutting measures designed to reduce travel expenses.

For the 10-month period from May 2016 to February 2017, EAC travel expenditures fell to $9.1 million compared to $12.5 million during a similar period the previous financial year.

The Community’s travel expenditure includes air tickets and Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) for EAC Staff, Partner States’ delegates and other participants at EAC meetings.

In April 2016 the EAC, which has been facing financial constraints, adopted administrative and institutional reforms aimed at cutting down costs and reducing wastage in its expenditure.

Some of the most significant cost reductions were in expenditure drops on air tickets for EAC staff by $456,491 and air tickets for Partner States’ delegates and other participants to EAC meetings by $408,273.

DSA for EAC staff declined from $4.5 million to $3.2 million; and for Partner States’ delegates from $4.4 million to $3.5 million in the same period under review.

EAC Secretary General Ambassador Liberat Mfumukeko noted that the Community’s overall travel budget has significantly reduced over the past three financial years; from $28.1million in 2014/2015; to $28.0 million in 2015/2016; and now $21 million in the current financial year.

Source: Foot Print To Africa

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