The Nigerian government has reportedly approved a policy that would see it paying whistle-blowers to encourage the reporting of crimes and other scandals.
As a measure of its resolve to rid the country of corrupt practices, FG has announced that whistleblowers whose revelations lead to recovery of looted funds will be entitled to as much as 5 percent of the said amounts, PT writes.
This was approved during Wednesday’s meeting of the Federal Executive Council chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari inside the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Making the announcement to State House correspondents, the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, said it is being put in place “in conjunction with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice”.
According to her, the policy, which will encourage Nigerians with useful information on financial crimes to come forward, is a stop gap initiative until the National Assembly formally passes a law on whistle blowing.
Ms. Adeosun further stated that the government will set up a website and provide a phone number and email for people to use, adding that the anonymity and protection of whistleblowers will also be guaranteed.
While the whistleblower tactic has been effective in curbing corruption, as illustrated in China at the turn of the millennium, its effectiveness here remains to be seen.
Corruption among government officials is only a microcosm of a larger societal malaise, and tackling it may entail deeper measures than dishing out monetary rewards.
But then, we have to start from somewhere, and it can only be hoped that this is not just another PR spin from the government.
So in order words, your gonna get paid for being a snitch??.. lol. I know many people that would excel in such a role.