SOME RESIDENTS OF AWKA, ANAMBRA STATE REACT TO FG’s WHISTLEBLOWER POLICY
The Federal Government towards the end of 2016 introduced the whistleblower policy to further strengthen its fight against corruption.
The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, who announced the policy, simply described it as a measure to expose financial crimes, recover more looted funds and reward the whistle blower. The policy is also expected to improve Nigeria’s ranking on the indicators of openness and ease of doing business, to build a corruption-free society and attract more investors into the country.
According to Mrs Adeosun, “anyone who has authentic information about violation, misconduct or improper activity which can impact negatively on the Nigerian people and government” should volunteer such information.
To encourage Nigeria to key into the policy, a reward of between 2.5 or 5 percent of recovered looted funds will be given to the whistleblower provided that there is a voluntary return of stolen funds or assets as a result of the information provided.
Reacting to the policy, a Legal Practitioner, Mr Leonard Akaolisa, agreed that the whistleblower policy would help impact positively on the fight against corruption.
‘’It is one of the measures aim at reducing corruption in Nigeria. Looking at the complexity of the Nigerian society, some people are likely to manipulate it.’’
A Youth Leader, Comrade Obi Ochije, stressed the need to sensitize Nigerians about the policy to make it achieve the intended goal of reducing corruption to its barest minimum in the country.
‘’ Let them do awareness so that people will know how the Whistleblower tackle corruption’’.
On his part, Chief Kanayochukwu Obidigbo, wondered about the safety of the whistleblowers after blowing the whistle.
‘’Those Whistleblowers are at risk because this Cabals who are in the corrupt class can as well take lives of these individuals whom they know that knows they have something at somewhere.’’
A Public Affairs Analyst, Chief Jude Emecheta, said the policy must be given the force of law to be able to adequately protect the whistleblowers.
‘’Get good Legal draft men to put this Whistleblower into a legal framework that protect the Whistleblower in all circumstances even him going against the government.’’
A member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr Kingsley Iruba, warned whistleblowers against frivolities and false alarm.
‘’When you are whistleblowing you should be careful .You should make sure what you are saying is correct and accurate, otherwise, you could also be prosecuted.’’
According to the Federal Government, any whistleblower who is harassed or intimidated for revealing wrongdoings can report to appropriate authorities for protection under the policy. The government also promised to deploy recovered loots in financing Nigeria’s infrastructural deficit.