FG launches bisonFly project to slash air travel costs for federal civil servants

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Federal Government has launched the BisonFly Project, a technology-driven initiative aimed at reducing air travel expenses across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Civil Service.

The project as revealed in a statement on Friday by the Ministry of Finance Director, Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, introduces a centralised digital booking system designed to leverage the government’s collective bargaining power to secure discounted airfares and enhance transparency and efficiency in official travel arrangements.

Inaugurating the project team in Abuja, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, described BisonFly as a strategic move to promote fiscal discipline and improve service delivery.

He stated, “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.”

Edun underscored the importance of institutional reform for sustainable savings and tasked the implementation team with ensuring the full realisation of the project’s mandate within set timelines.

Permanent Secretary, Special Duties, Federal Ministry of Finance, Raymond Omenka Omachi, praised the initiative as
“a model for fiscal responsibility across the public service and beyond,” highlighting its potential to set a precedent for other government reforms.

Developed by the Ministry’s Efficiency Unit in collaboration with ICT experts and key stakeholders, the BisonFly Project is expected to go live in the coming months. It aligns with the Federal Government’s broader goals of enhancing efficiency, accountability, and fiscal discipline in public sector operations, marking a significant step forward in cost management and transparency in Nigeria’s public service.

“The BisonFly Project aligns with the Federal Government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and public sector reform, supporting the government’s broader goals of enhancing efficiency and accountability in public sector operations.

“It represents a significant step towards achieving fiscal discipline and improving public sector efficiency in Nigeria. With its innovative approach to cost savings and transparency, the project is poised to make a positive impact on government operations and set a precedent for other initiatives,” the statement partly reads.