Asset declaration: Compliance by public office holders compulsory, not optional — CCB

By RUTH OKETUNDE

Prof. Muhammed Isah, Chairman, Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), says compliance with assets declaration and code of conduct for public officers is compulsory not optional.

He said this at a two-day workshop organised for staff of the Nigeria Integrated Water Resources Management Commission (NIWRMC), on Wednesday in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop is on strict compliance with assets declaration and code of conduct for public officers.

Isah, who was represented by Mr Zephaniah Bulus, Director, Education and Advocacy Services at the Bureau, said it was important for public officers to abide with a high standard of morality as they carry out their responsibilities.

“The essence of this workshop is to keep public officers abreast of their responsibilities and to show them practical guide on how to fill their assets declaration forms.

“We are taking them on ethics and prosecution and it is important for public officers to conform to the ethics and laws of the land.

“The codes, which are set of moral principles helps to regulate the conducts of public officers, from the President to the lowest officer in the public service.

“There are so many things public officers take for granted without them knowing that they are breaking the law.

“So we are using this avenue to educate them on what is expected of them,” he said.

On his part, Mr Umar Magashi, Executive Director, NIWRMC, urged the participants to abide by the code of conducts for public officers in order not to face the consequences of breaching the law.

According to him, it has been observed that many public officers do not comply with the provisions of the law.

He, however, urged them to ensure they declare their assets when due. (NAN)