Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has directed all public officers in the state to comply fully with the Code of Conduct requirements, particularly asset declaration, warning that non-compliance would not be tolerated.
Governor Otti gave the directive on Tuesday, while receiving the South-East Zonal Director of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Mr Akinfolarin Feyishola, and his delegation during a courtesy visit in his office at Nvosi Isialangwa South LGA.
The Governor who stressed that compliance with the Code of Conduct is mandatory, further directed the Secretary to the State Government, Mr, Emmanuel Meribole to ensure strict compliance among all public office holders.
He described the Code of Conduct Bureau as “a necessary part of our system, the democratic system,” stressing that adherence to its provisions is “a minimum standard for people who want to play in the public sector space”.
“When I hear that some people have not visited the office, or have not complied, it’s strange, so, SSG, please, I’d like you to also lend your weight to this, to ensure that everyone who should comply complies”, Governor Otti said.
The Governor also commended the Bureau’s move towards digitalisation as a step in line with global best practices, noting that his administration is already leveraging technology in governance.
He assured the delegation of the state government’s support, including upgrading the Bureau’s office in Umuahia and addressing their logistic needs.
Earlier, the Zonal Director of the CCB, South-East, Mr Akinfolarin Feyishola expressed concern over low compliance levels among some political appointees and a significant number of career civil servants in the state, regarding asset declaration.
“We still have a few political office holders that are yet to declare their assets, and a large chunk of career officers that have not declared their assets,” he said.
He explained that the Bureau, which oversees Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states, is responsible for investigations, prosecution, intelligence gathering and recovery of proceeds of crime beyond the capacity of state offices.
The Zonal Director proposed a comprehensive sensitisation programme for public officers in Abia to improve awareness and compliance with the Code of Conduct for public officers.
“We want to propose that Your Excellency approve for us to do a kind of enlightenment for all the public officers in the state on the Code of Conduct for public officers’ implications for non-compliance”, he said.
Mr Feyishola further revealed that the Bureau is transitioning to a fully digital asset declaration system and warned that failure to comply with asset declaration requirements could lead to prosecution.
The CCB Zonal Director added that public officers must download, complete and submit forms through the Bureau’s website as an interim measure.
He urged the State Government to enforce compliance by linking asset declaration to employment, promotion and remuneration processes and appealed for support in upgrading the Bureau’s office as well as the provision of an official vehicle.
