Former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Attahiru Jega has identified lack of legal framework as one of the major factors of inefficiency of the country’s Whistle Blower Policy.
Professor Jega stated this while delivering a paper during a zonal conference on Whistle Blower Policy in Nigeria for the Northwest Zone organized by the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, held at Government House Kano.
He said the policy itself which is a very laudable one needs to be properly contextualize for Nigerians to get the benefits attached to it, stressing that because it is a federal policy, implementation at state and local levels are very constrained.
Professor Jega recommended that opportunities should be created for conspirators and accomplices to gather courage to “spill out” against co-criminals, while framework be expanded to be applicable to states and local governments.
The former INEC Chairman noted that corruption is so deep rooted in the country’s political economy that mere good intentions cannot uproot it.
“Fear and lack of legal protection and legal backing to get the reward are disincentives for people to volunteer information under the policy”
Professor Attahiru jega maitained to ensure the speedy passage of a legal framework, there was the need to speed up the efficacy of the policy, suggesting that there should be a continual review, revision, updating and improvement of the policy while drawing appropriate lessons from global best practices.
“It is not clear of what kind of information gives you 2.5% or 5% reward which makes it more arbitrary. Transparency in the regard can be very useful in the efficacy of the implementation of the policy,”
The workshop themed “implementation of the Whistle Blower Policy in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and Way Forward.” was attended by senior Government Officials, and other stakeholders.
Abdullahi Jalaludeen