DELTA TO PARTNER CODE OF CONDUCT BUREAU IN FIGHTING AGAINST CORRUPTION

The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Chike Ogeah (Esq), has expressed the ministry’s readiness to partner with the Code of Conduct Bureau in the fight against corruption in the state.

Mr. Ogeah who gave this assurance while playing host to the state Director of the Bureau, Mr. Anthony Onyeibe during a courtesy visit to the ministry in Asaba, said that it was important for all government workers, especially political office holders to declare their assets as part of ensuring due process and in fulfilment of the law.

He stated that assets declaration was one ingenious ways to track corruption in the society, adding that the time when government paid little attention to the fight against corruption was over, even as he said that the Code of Conduct Bureau   had been very effective in discharging their duties in the state.

The commissioner said it was sacrosanct for all political appointees to declare their assets before assumption of office, saying that was the only way to show that they had good intention to serve and had nothing that would discredit their character.

Earlier in a remark, the Director of the Bureau, Mr Anthony Onyeibe who commended the commissioner for the warmth reception despite the short notice, said that the purpose of the visit was to enlighten the ministry on the activities of the Code of Conduct Bureau and also to seek partnership with the ministry in ensuring that that public was well sensitised on the activities of the bureau.

He used the forum to charge all public office holders to declare their assets, saying that it was a law that had been effective since 1988.

The state Director said it was mandatory for all to declare their assets, stressing that public servants should also declare their assets at the beginning and expiration point of their appointment, adding that it was mandatory for all civil servants to declare assets every four years.

He warned that any public officer who refused to declare his assets would be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Present during the meeting were the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Ben Igo, the Ag. Director of Information, Mr. Paul Osahor, Director of Publication and Production Services, Mr. Dona Obuseh, Director of Orientation, Mr. Willy Sowho, Director of Administration, Mr. Kenneth Okurungbe,  the Director of  Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Precious Anuku and the Special Assistant to the commissioner, Mr. Pius Modi.