THE National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has asked the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to make the National Identification Number (NIN) a basic requirement for asset declaration in the country.
Director General/ CEO, NIMC, Engr. Aliyu Aziz made the proposal at a one day Code of Conduct Sensitisation Workshop which held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
He said it is imperative for the two agencies to collaborate, and make the NIN a basic requirement for all public officers who come forward for asset declaration.
According to him, the NIN will allow the Code of Conduct Bureau tie all records of public officers together, and automate the process so as to make it easier to access an individual and his assets with the unique NIN.
Aziz said the intention of the Commission is to work as an ecosystem with all data collecting agencies, save billions of taxpayers’ money, and work towards the same goal of creating a unique National Identity Database in Nigeria.
He explained that the ecosystem will go a long way in eliminating duplication of efforts and responsibility, and enhance security especially in the area of information sharing.
“We are currently working with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) who have made the NIN mandatory for land allocation within the FCT, and this process allows them to track assets and transactions.” He added.
ALSO READ: Why Nigerians are not getting their e-ID cards ―NIMC boss
On his part, Mr Michael Okwose, the Deputy Director, Code of Conduct Bureau assured that the proposition will be conveyed to the Bureau’s Director General, even as he called on the commission’s staff to abide by the codes and work ethics of the public officers.
Also, he cautioned against bribe-taking, abuse of power, accepting and or soliciting for gifts/benefits of any kind, etc.
He added that every public officer must ensure that they declare their assets three months after joining any government organisation and every four years or be ready to face the law.
and then