The Chairman Code of Conduct Bureau, Prof. Mohammed Isah has said that the fear of the unknown by public office holders is a major reason for poor level of compliance of assets declaration by public officer holders in the country.
The CCB boss said this Wednesday in his remark at a 2-day workshop on Compliance with Asset Declaration and Code of Conduct for Nigerian Armed Forces Personnel, at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
He said despite the fear, it is more to the advantage of a Public Officer to declare his/her assets than decline, adding that asset declaration is one of the 14 codes the agency enforces.
According to him, then CCB as an anti-corruption agency was established under section 253 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and empowered under Part1 to the 3rd schedule to “establish and maintain a high standard of morality in the conduct of government business and ensure that actions and behavious of public officers conform to the highest standard of morality and accountability.”
Isah said the enlightenment workshop was part of the preventive measures the agency undertakes to sensitise the public officers and the general public on the Code of Conduct for public officers in the Nigeria constitution.
In his opening remarks, the Chief of Dfence Staff (CDS) Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin said the seminar was important senior officers, who, not only draw funds from government’s coffer, but are also responsible for the resources at your disposal.
“As I have always stressed, every officer who holds a position of responsibility must also be accountable,” he said.
“You are also aware that accountability is one of the cornerstones in the fight against corruption which is one of President Muhammadu Buhari’s 3-point agenda. As members of the Armed Forces, strict compliance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct is an opportunity to express a transparent stewardship in our day to day activities.
“I enjoin all participants at this workshop to take advantage of the training alongside the presence of some staffs of the Code of Conduct Bureau to thoroughly understand the requirement for assets declaration. Let me also stress that you would be required to pass on the knowledge acquired during this workshop to your subordinates in your various departments and agencies.”
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Policy and Plans (CDPP), Air Vice Marshall Charles Oghomwen, said the workshop is a collaboration between Defence Headquarters and the Code of Conduct Bureau,
He said the workshop would not only educate military officers on the code of conduct and other constitutional responsibilities as well as the consequences of non-compliance with the code of conduct for military personnel. It would also provide a practical guide on the completion of the asset declaration form.
