The House of Representatives has passed into the second reading a bill that seeks to amend the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 2024, to enable full-time public officers to only participate in farming and charitable or philanthropic businesses.
The bill, sponsored by Hon. Terseer Ugbor (APC, Benue), seeks to further restrict public officers from transacting business or indulging in any private trade, profession, or business while in full-time employment, except as provided under the new provisions.
The bill seeks to amend Section 6(b) of the Principal Act the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, 2004 so that it reads:
Not derogating the generality of Section 5 of this Act, a public officer shall not, except where he is not employed full-time, engage or become involved in the operation or management of any private trade, profession, or business.”. Nothing within this paragraph shall prevent a public officer from engaging in farming or participating in the management or operation of any farm, or in charitable or philanthropic undertakings and the management of any charitable organisation.
Hon. Ugbor explained that the amendment is intended to place the law in sync with public service realities and to force public officers to contribute towards social and economic development through philanthropy and agriculture.
According to him, “This bill will give public officers the authority to undertake charitable or philanthropic work which can improve the lives of citizens while subjecting that to the condition that such work does not hinder them from undertaking their official duties. It also enables them to maximize their philanthropic potential to the greater good of society.”
The presented bill has been titled the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
