Whistleblower policy recovered both cash, non-cash assets, says Finance Minister

Minister of Finance, Dr. Zainab Ahmed has disclosed that the whistle blower policy recovered cash and non-cash assets for the country.

The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary (Finance), Alhaji Shehu Shinkafi made this disclosure at the second Zonal Conference on the Whistle Blower policy in Nigeria held on Friday in Lagos.

She added that information from such policy also led to the clean-up of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

Ahmed, however, stated that the interest of Nigerians in whistle blower policy is nosediving compared to the inception of the policy where Nigerians volunteered numerous actionable information.

She explained that most Citizens were not aware of the existence of the policy, not to talk about its Key Objectives.

The Minister added that the workings or operational modalities of the implementation of the policy were generally misunderstood.

“Based on the Whistleblower policy, there were recoveries both in cash and non-cash assets.

“The policy also help in the cleaning up of the integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

“Similarly, funds maintained outside the Treasury Single Account (TSA) without authorization by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government were identified and moved back to the Treasury.

“But, Interest on the implementation of the policy began to nose dive unlike when it started  where there was widespread of enthusiasm on the part of Nigerians as they volunteered numerous actionable information.

“Such information or tips were usually referred to the EFCC, ICPC, NFIU or DSS for painstaking investigation.

“It was at this point that the Key Stakeholders realized that there was apparent confusion in the minds of the Public on several issues.

“For instance, it was discovered that most Citizens were not aware of the existence of the policy, not to talk about its Key Objectives. Furthermore, the workings or operational modalities of the implementation of the policy were generally misunderstood.” She said.

Speaking also, The Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Rabiu Olowo said Nigerians must deliberately protect whistleblowers by enacting laws through the National Assembly, adding that religious superstitious belief must be changed.

Rabiu explained that Nigerians would address the issue of poverty if everyone is committed to see and say.

He also posited that financial incentives or whistleblowers is a good way to encourage potential whistleblowers to speak up, advocating that the awareness should continue.

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