6 things you need to know about the FG's whistleblowing programme

The whistleblowing programme came as
an initiative from the Federal Ministry
of Finance as a means of helping the
nation get useful information about a
couple of things that could draw the
nation backwards.
Individuals are encouraged to provide
useful information that entails violation
of government financial regulations as
well as procurement procedures,
mismanagement or misappropriation of
public funds and assets, financial
malpractice, fraud and theft of public
assets.
The initiative aims at carrying
Nigerians along and making them a
part of the building process if the nation
is to be wiped clean of the various
forms of corruption that has plagued it.
Also, the whistleblowing programme
aims at finding anyone who can
provide information on stolen or
concealed public assets.
It also covers information on
manipulation of data or records,
solicitation or collection of bribes,
undocumented expenditure, splitting of
contracts, conflicts of interest,
diversion, under-reporting, concealment
and non-remittance of government
revenues. The programme also wants
information on any other form of
corruption involving government funds
and assets.
Find the things you need to know about
the FG whistleblowing programme
below:
1. Channels of communication for potential
whistleblowers
This programme works with the use of a
secure online portal which people can
submit the relevant tips and reports to.
The portal for the programme is
whistle.finance.gov.ng; emails on
questions and queries can be forwarded
to whistle@finance.gov.ng. In a case
where the information to be given is
urgent, this phone number can be used
0909 806 7946.

2. The requirements for eligible information for
the programme
The information required has to be as
substantial as possible. It is important
for the reports submitted to contain
dates and place of occurrence and
persons involved.
In cases where these are not available, it
is sufficient that the whistleblower
makes the report on reasonable belief
that the information provided is true.
3. FG's commitment to whistleblowers and their
protection
A whistleblower does not necessarily
have to be someone or a group of
persons within or outside the
government. This title could be for
anyone who is deeply concerned about
the state of affairs in the nation.
Anyone who believes a violation of
accountability with regards to
government resources can report.
The reports have to be made in good
faith and not out of malice or
grievances aimed at getting back at a
party. They should also not be made for
the personal gains. The whistleblowers
will be protected and entitled to the
strictest confidentiality as permitted by
the law.
The programme also makes provision
for them when they feel they are in
danger as a result of their
whistleblowing activities.
The work of a whistleblower does not
end with the submission of tips and
reports, he or she will also have the
opportunity to independently monitor
the status of the report submitted.
This way, they will feel like a part of the
process and be assured that the
necessary steps are being taken on the
provided information.

4. The investigative units take over after a
report is submitted
The programme is coordinated by the
investigations unit under the
Presidential Initiative on Continuous
Audit (PICA) within the ministry of
finance.
The administrators of the programme
will analyse the provided info and
determine whether something credible
can come out of it. This will be done
within ten working days of getting the
information.
Investigations can be done by another
body apart from the PICA with the
whistleblower being briefed on the
outcome.
5. Reward for genuine whistleblowers
Giving relevant information that leads
to the voluntary return of stolen or
diverted public funds will be highly
beneficial to the whistleblowers.
The reward scheme will give set
minimum and maximum standards of
2.5 percent and 5 percent respectively
as reward to the whistleblowers. The
standards will be removed from the
total recovered amount and given to the
whistleblowers.

6. Punishment for those who abuse the
programme
As expected, the FG is aware of people
who will want to launch their
unscrupulous behaviours with the
program. Information that is
misleading, speculated or acquired in a
manner that constitutes criminal
offence will not attract any reward.
Also, whistleblowers who deliberately
provide false information will be
subjected to investigation and possible
prosecution by law enforcement
agencies.