Bauchi State governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed on Tuesday directed all public officers in the state to declare their assets in line with the provision of Code of Conduct Bureau law to guard against the wrath of the law.
The directive was given by the governor while declaring open a two-day workshop on strict compliance with assets declaration and Code of Conduct for public officers and career civil servants in the state organised by the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) and held at the Command Guests House, Bauchi.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Mohammed Sabiu Baba, Governor Mohammed said the directive became imperative given the state government’s zero tolerance for corruption not only in the state civil service but also its entire operations.
According to him, the government’s zero-tolerance for corruption was to ensure effective service delivery to the people of the state.
While warning against non-compliance with the directive, the governor declared that the CCB is enormously empowered by the law setting it up to sanction erring public officers.
“It is imperative to crave the indulgence of the general public of the consequences of non-compliance with the provision of the Code of Conduct Bureau Act Cap C15 LFN 2004.
“As you all know, the power of the Code of Conduct under this Act is enormous and the public officers are encouraged to be on the side of the law,” he said.
Governor Mohammed said his administration is determined to continuously impart the culture of discipline and transparency in government affairs, adding that the state government is ready to work with the CCB in its effort to entrench public probity and accountability in the system.
“Let me commend the leadership of the Code of Conduct Bureau for this worthy partnership aimed at enriching the culture of honesty, transparency and accountability in the management of our public institutions.
“I note with appreciation that this workshop is extended to instil in the minds of public office holders, career civil servants and private organisations the virtues of probity and trustworthiness in the conduct of their assigned responsibilities,” Governor Mohammed said.
He, however, stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to block leakages and ensure that the little resources at the disposal of the state government are prudently managed.
The CCB Chairman, Professor Mohammed Isah, had earlier informed the gathering that the workshop was organized to educate participants on the activities of the Bureau to ensure total compliance with its guidelines for the conduct of public officeholders.
