Please share
African Centre for Media and Information Literacy ( AFRICMIL ) has implored the National Assembly to speed up action and pass whistle-blowers protection bill into law before the end of President Muhammadu Buhari
administration.
It also urged the federal government to provide appropriate mechanism to institutionalise the whistleblowing policy in the Ministries , Departments and Agencies ( MDAs) to enhance proper implementation.
The coordinator of the centre, Chido Onumah disclosed this during the public presentation of report of survey on five years of the whistleblowong policy in Nigeria.
The report also examined the impact of the policy in combating corruption in Nigeria specifically how to build a level of consciousness and awareness among Nigerians for the purpose of accountability and transparency.
It also said:” From the assessment, the impact of the whistleblowing policy in curbing corruption has been minimal due to several challenges. These challenges includes; conflicting compensation mechanism, lack of legal protection for whistle-blowers , prolonged period of investigation, data/miscarriage of justice, lack of public data on progress made so far and limited knowledge by states actors specific provisions in the policy.
” The findings revealed that an overwhelming majority ( 98.2% ) of Nigerians perceived corruption as a serious problem and menace in the country. Although majority of Nigerians are aware of the whistleblowing policy.
One quarter of the respondents are unwilling to report any form corrupt practices while 3 out of every 4 respondents have stopped reporting cases of looted funds due to nepotism, fear of victimisation/ stigmatisation, ,lack of knowledge on the kind of information to report and the appropriate channels to report and the feeling that no serious action will be taken by the authorities in charge even if a report is made.
” Findings revealed that legislative protection and monetary reward for whistle-blowers were considered as key motivators for potential whistle-blowers. Sadly only 1 out of every 4 Nigerians is somewhat satisfied with the available channel for reporting corrupt practices. Television and radio jingles were considered as effective means of enlightening the public about the policy”
The report also identified lack of political will , limited funding and poor reporting and widespread retaliation against whistle-blowers
as barriers militating against whistleblowing
policy.
While making recommendations in tackling the challenges the centre called on Chief Justice of Nigeria ( CJN ) to mandate courts across the thirty six states of the federation to prioritise prompt response to whistleblowing cases.
” The Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit ( PICA ) should collaborate with relevant stakeholders to have a comprehensive database of tips received, tips investigated , evidence of recoveries and compensation of whistle-blowers.
” All 36 states Governors nd 774 LGAs Chairmen should embrace whistleblowing and adopt multi- sectoral approach to institutionalise the policy and improve mechanism for reporting corruption and other corrupt practices in their respective states and local government”,the report added.
Please share