CCB committed to eradicating corrupt practices in public service – Chairman

The Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) says it is committed to eradicating corrupt practices within the public service.

Prof. Muhammed Isah, the Chairman of the Bureau, made gave the assurance at a one-day workshop organised for staff of the Federal Ministry of Education, on Wednesday, in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop was on strict compliance with assets declaration and code of conducts  for public officers.

Represented by Prof. Samuel Ogundare, Federal Commissioner, Education and Advocacy Services at the Bureau, Isah said that the Bureau would continue to educate public officers on the importance of maintaining high standard of morality in the conduct of government businesses.

He said that to implement its mandate, the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provided the Bureau with legal powers to prosecute offenders.

“It is our mandate to receive assets declaration by public officers, in line with the fifth schedule of the 1999 constitution.

“We are also committed to ensuring that public officers comply with the code of conducts expected of a public officer.

“That is why we are taking our time to go round different organisations to enlighten them on the need to abide by these codes.

“The codes are a set of moral principles or rule of behaviour that are generally accepted by a society or organisation.

“It helps to regulate the conduct of public officers, from the President to the lowest officer in the public service.

“Our clients are not less than 10 million, given all the public officers we have in the federation, including those in the forces, para-military, local government, state offices, as well as elected officers.

“It is expected of them to see themselves as professionals, working to develop capacity and competence needed for his or her job with confidence and acceptable level of expertise,” he said.

Mr Mohammed Bello, a participant from the Federal Ministry of Education, appreciated the bureau for the workshop.

He added that the lessons learnt from the workshop would be passed down to his subordinates, as he also placed public service above self-interest.

NAN reports that the workshop featured a practical guide on how to fill the assets declaration forms by the participants.