Abia State government says it would align with the aims and goals of the Code of Conduct Bureau(CCB) to boost the campaign against corruption.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu stated this in Umuahia, during a one-day sensitisation workshop for Local Government officials ,themed: “Activities of Code of Conduct Bureau for Good Governance at the Grassroot Level”.
Governor Ikpeazu further stated that Abia government would partner the bureau to promote the culture of efficient wealth disclosure in the state.
The Governor,represented by Mr. Christopher Enweremadu, charged the bureau to maintain its position as an impartial umpire in playing its statutory functions.
Director of Reforms,Code of Conduct Bureau,Mr AgomTor-Ngusi noted that the event was organised to sustain the anti- corruption campaign embarked upon by the Federal Government,adding that it was better to take steps to prevent the act of corruption.
According to him,the mission of the bureau was targeted at eradicating corrupt practices and establishing high level of morality among public office holders.
Tor-Ngusi while pointing out that the bureau is not a “punitive organisation”, but a body that promotes the culture of honesty,transparency and integrity,noted that an effective income and asset declaration culture among public office holders was required in order for Nigerians to receive the dividends of good governance.
Also speaking,the Director, Human Resource Management of the CCB,Mr Kenneth Ikpeme described asset declaration as a tool meant to facilitate the anti-corruption campaign of the Federal Government adding that conducting a verification exercise in event of any asset declaration was necessary and would serve as a key strategy for realising the objective for initiating asset declaration.
According to him ,”a well conducted verification exercise and its reports carried out through normal procedure and processes will serve as a veritable tool in the fight against corruption. “
In her remark,Abia state Coordinator of CCB,Mrs Chisara Nwachukwu,said that the bureau was planning to extend the sensitisation campaign on the importance of asset declaration to the various communities and churches in Abia.
“When people in the grassroots become knowledgeable about asset declaration they would ensure that public office holders and people representing them in the government efficiently declare their wealth.
“This will help in checking abuse of public office and use of public funds for self aggrandizement ;which will go a long way in helping the bureau achieve its mandate,” Nwachukwu said.
