Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has declared that henceforth, no political Officer holder will be sworn in unless evidence of Asset Declaration is provided.
Ikpeazu made the declaration when he received the Management Team from the Code of Conduct Bureau(CCB) in Abia State,led by its Director,Mr Abel Sunday who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government Lodge Aba.
The Governor who noted that it is “important and mandatory” for Public Office Holders in the state to declare their Assets, encouraged them to avail themselves of the opportunity and perform their constitutional obligation.
He said: “We appreciate the presence of the Code of Conduct Bureau in Abia State. We also understand the importance of the job you do especially when it comes to holding public officers accountable and keeping them in check and make sure they serve with honesty and diligence.
“I want to use this opportunity to officially inform public office holders in Abia State that it is not only important,it is indeed mandatory that you declare your assets before you begin to function.
“We will advice the Secretary to Government,Chief of Staff and all those who help us to manage public servants from the political appointment angle to ensure that going forward, nobody will be sworn in unless we have evidence that that individual has declared his assets.
Describing the Code of Conduct Bureau as a watchdog, Governor Ikpeazu however implored them to fashion out ways of encouraging individuals to willingly declare their assets through capacity building, seminars among others adding that such would overtime become a culture.
“I want to also advise that the code of conduct bureau in serving Abia State and Nigeria in general should function like an enabler towards the overall goal of bequeathing a society that is managed and run by people who are prepared to be held to account, diligent and honest in their service and in doing this,part of what they need to do is come with a facade of friendliness”, Ikpeazu said.
He opined that as long as the Code of Conduct Bureau is seen as unfriendly and a stumbling block,people would begin to evade the exercise which ordinarily is supposed to serve the public officers especially when they leave office.
Ikpeazu however expressed delight that many people are now turning up on their own to declare their assets and promised that his Government will support as well as provide the Bureau with a befitting office space to ensure they function well.
Earlier, the State Director of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Mr. Abel Sunday said he came to pay courtesy to the State Governor as the newly posted CCB boss and to seek his collaboration to fight corruption in the State and Nigeria at large.
He noted that while some public office holders in the State have declared their assets, others are yet to do so, stressing that the constitution enjoins them to declare their assets even before assuming office and afterwards.
He assured the Governor of the commitment of his office to continue to cooperate with the State Government in ensuring that public officers do what is right under the laws.
He used the opportunity to inform public office holders that declaration of assets is a constitutional requirement which must be complied with, adding that failure to do so will attract enforcement and compliance with the law.
The member representing Aba North and Aba South Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Chimaobi Ebisike, State Chairman of the PDP, Rt. Hon Asiforo Okere were amongst other top officials of the State Government who witnessed the event.
