The Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), Dr. Abdullahi Bello, has advised the staff of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.

Speaking during an Enlightenment Session on Good Governance and Ethical Conduct for NDDC staff in Port Harcourt, Bello emphasised that ignorance of the law would not be an excuse for offenders.

He called for a continuous effort to promote transparency, accountability and professionalism in the NDDC, stating that “asset declaration is not optional but an obligation that must be fulfilled by all public servants.”

Bello advised the NDDC staff to ensure they complete the Code of Conduct form and declare their assets to avoid being charged with wrongdoing. He noted that the Code of Conduct Bureau was not established to victimise public servants but to enlighten and enforce the Code of Conduct Act.

In his remarks, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, observed that good ethical conduct was a foundation for good governance. He said that in line with President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises accountability and transparency, the NDDC would ensure that staff were transparent and accountable.

Ogbuku declared that the Commission was already implementing a new Governance Advisory Report as part of its strategy to consolidate its performance and reposition itself for greater impact.

The Managing Director observed that the Governance Advisory Report would facilitate the Commission’s transition from transaction to transformation.

He declared: “We are deepening our collective understanding of the Commission’s Standard Operating Procedures, SOP, and code of conduct, which remain the foundation of our service delivery.

Ogbuku stated that the enlightenment programme would help the Commission to strengthen its internal cohesion, collaboration, and mutual accountability. He added: “By fostering unity of purpose, improving communication, and reinforcing ethical standards, we can enhance efficiency, promote transparency, and position the Commission to deliver greater impact in the Niger Delta region.

The NDDC boss stated that the NDDC's foundation was laid long ago and has just been strengthened. He stated, "Whatever we are doing today is in line with the policies of the Federal Government.”

Ogbuku also said that the event is not just about enlightening staff on how to fill out the Code of Conduct Bureau form or the penalties for failing to do so or for not declaring their assets, but is also in line with the present administration's Renewed Hope, which is about good governance and transparency. He believes that after the training, the staff must have learned a lot from the authority about certain things we were doing that were wrong, which we did not know until told, and sometimes it is only when the law is being tested that you know you are wrong.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, affirmed that enlightenment was part of ongoing efforts to reorient NDDC staff to a new ideology of transparency and integrity.

Iyaye, who was represented by the NDDC Director of Administration and Human Resources, Sir Kelechi Nwelue, observed that the programme would help renew staff zeal and encourage them to become champions of transparency at all procedural and structural levels of work in NDDC.

He stated: “We must be willing and ready to comply with the civil service rules, financial regulations, as well as other extant rules and laws in Nigeria.”