CCB Wants Govts to Make Compliance to Asset Declaration, Condition for Paying Public Officers

Boniface Okoro in Umuahia

The Code of Conduct Bureau is proposing that compliance to assets declaration should be make a condition for payment of emoluments to public officers.

Southeast Zonal Director of CCB, Mr. Akinfolarin Feyishola, dropped the proposal on the table of Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti, when he visited the governor, disclosing the agency has begun digitising the processes for Assets Declaration.

Feyishola suggested that governments should make evidence of compliance to the Code of Conduct (CCB’s Asset Declaration) one of the requirements for payment of emoluments to public officers.

“We are looking at a situation where compliance with Code of Conduct will be tied to some incentive in the public service.

“So, evidence of compliance with Code of Conduct can be part of the paper they submit before they even start receiving their emolument from the state government,” the Zonal Director stated.

Mr.  Feyishola disclosed that CCB has commenced automation of the assets’ declaration processes, as the agency has already stopped issuing physical forms for exercise as was the practice in the past.

“The Code of Conduct is no more issuing out asset declaration forms like we did when you were coming into office,” he told Governor Otti.

“We are about automating the whole system now. We are going online, and maybe in about the third quarter of the year, we are going to be fully online,” he added.

The CCB Southeast boss hailed Governor Otti for encouraging his officers and appointees to comply with the mandatory subscription to the CCB.

He used the opportunity to appeal to the governor to assist the agency in executing its proposed sensitisation for all political office holders in Abia State while commending the governor for the giant strides he has made in the state.

Welcoming the delegation, Governor Otti noted that CCB was germane to Nigeria’s democracy, stressing that compliance with assets declaration should be a minimum standard for every public office holder.

According to him, no public officer should have any excuse for non-compliance.

“The Code of Conduct Bureau is a necessary part of our democratic system and, for me personally, it is a minimum standard for people who want to operate in the public sector space,” he said.

The governor further disclosed that his deputy and himself duly declared their assets before assuming office, adding that all political appointees and public officers in the state must comply with that constitutional requirement.

He therefore directed the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole, to work with relevant officials to ensure full compliance by all officers required to declare their assets.

 Additionally, he also directed the Commissioner for Lands, Mr. Chaka Chukwumerije, to inspect the CCB office in Umuahia with a view to upgrading the facility, while pledging that the state would also consider the request for an official vehicle to support its operations in the state by the CCB.

He commended the agency for moving to digitise its operations, particularly, the Assets Declaration processes.

Governor Otti stated that CCB’s digital transition plan aligns with global best practices and Abia State government’s reform agenda.

“We look forward to a situation where someone can sit in the comfort of his home, fill the form and return it electronically; that is where the world has gone.

“This is also the direction this (Abia State) government is going. Even Certificates of Occupancy are processed and signed electronically,” Gov. Otti said, explaining the state embraced digital governance to improve efficiency and service delivery.

Also present at the meeting were the Deputy Governor, His Excellency, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, among other senior government appointees.