Make NIN Criteria for Asset Declaration, NIMC Boss Tells CCB

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), has asked the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to as a matter of urgency, make the National Identification Number (NIN) a basic requirement for asset declaration in the country.

The Director General/CEO of NIMC, Aliyu Aziz, made the suggestion at a one-day sensitisation workshop in Abuja recently. According to the NIMC boss, it would be vital for the two agencies to collaborate and make the NIN a basic requirement for all public officers who come forward for asset declaration.

He noted that NIN would allow the Code of Conduct Bureau tie all records of public officers together and automate the process so that Nigerians can search for an individual and assets with the unique NIN.

Aziz said the intention of the Commission was to work as an ecosystem with all data collecting agencies, save billions of tax payers’ money, and work towards the same goal of creating a unique National Identity Database in Nigeria.

He explained that the ecosystem would go a long way in eliminating duplication of efforts, 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 track assets and transactions,” he added.

Aziz applauded the management of the CCB for the visit, and the effort to enlighten and sensitise public officers on the codes and ethics of work expected of public officers in Nigeria. In his response, the Deputy Director, Code of Conduct Bureau, Mr. Michael Okwose, promised to inform his Director General, the sug- gestion to include the NIN in the data capturing process of public officers at the point of registration. He also called on all members of staff of NIMC to abide by the codes and work ethics of the public officers, and cautioned against gratification, abuse of power, accepting and or soliciting for gifts/benefits of any kind, Amon others.

He added that every public officer must ensure that they declare their assets three months after joining any government organisation and do same every four years or be ready to face the law.