Ekiti State Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Ayodeji Ajayi has expressed concern on how Public Servants and top Government functionaries pay little or no concern to the Code of Conduct Act and completion of assets declaration forms as required by the law.
Speaking at a Sensitization Programme on Code of Conduct and completion of assets declaration forms for senior civil servants at the Lady Jibowu hall, Government House, Ado-Ekiti, the Head of Service bemoaned a situation where those expected to play leadership roles in their Ministries, Departments and Agencies violate the Act.
He noted that the sensitization programme will further enlighten the officers of the importance of the Code of Conduct Act and the dangers inherent in violating the Act which will invariably guide them to avoid being caught in the web.
Ajayi assured that the sensitization programme will be a continuous exercise and will be extended to other categories of public servants in due course.
The Permanent Secretary, Office of Establishment and Service Matters, Mr. Bayo Opeyemi urged the participants to act appropriately in line with the information and knowledge acquired at the programme.
He noted that efforts should be made to avoid being invited to face the Code of Conduct Tribunal, noting that ignorance would not be tenable as an excuse.
Delivering a lecture titled ‘Code of Conduct for Public Officers’, the Director, Ekiti State Code of Conduct Bureau, Mr. Akinfolarin Feyisola highlighted some of the conducts expected of public officers to include prohibition of foreign accounts, prohibition of private business, profession or trade except farming and so on.
He cautioned the participants to also avoid receiving two or more emoluments, accepting bribery, abuse of power and belonging to any secret society among others.
Public Servants according to him are expected to make written declaration of all of their properties, assets, liabilities and those of their unmarried children under the age of 18 years, three months after their appointments and after every four years.
