FG Hails Whistle-Blower Policy, Calls It Effective Tool of Fighting Corruption

The Federal Government has hailed its whistle-blower policy, which has
led to the recovery of looted funds in many currencies that may
otherwise not have been discovered, describing it as an effective tool
of fighting corruption in Nigeria.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday, the Minister of Information
and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the policy has also shown the
depth of support among Nigerians for the fight against corruption.

He therefore thanked Nigerians for the enthusiasm and commitment that
they have shown in helping the government to tackle the hydra-headed
monster of corruption through the useful leads they have been
providing to appropriate government agencies.

”Since we launched the whistle-blower policy, we have received
immeasurable support from Nigerians. Yes, there is monetary reward for
any information that leads to recovery of looted funds, but from what
we have seen, most of the Nigerians who have come forward with useful
leads were driven by patriotism rather than reward.

”Nigerians, fired by a fervid resolve to help banish corruption from
their country, have daily inundated the offices of the appropriate
government agencies with valuable information. We have been told how
looters have resorted to burying stolen funds in their backyards, in
deep forests and even in burial grounds.

”Thanks to whistle-blowers, it is now clear that a rapacious few have
pillaged the nation’s wealth through a vicious orgy of corrupt
practices. Thanks to the useful information provided by Nigerians, it
is now obvious that more funds are in the possession of looters than
are available to government at all levels to meets its obligations,
including paying workers’ salaries, providing social amenities,
upgrading infrastructure and ensuring the security of lives and
property

”As the looters continue to run helter-skelter, many of them are even
abandoning their booty at unusual places, including airports. We want
to assure Nigerians that we will not abandon this policy for whatever
reason. Instead, we will continue to rejig it to make it more
effective as a tool for fighting corruption,” the Minister said.

He said the recovered looted funds are safe, adding that as soon as the
necessary reconciliation process and the litigation in some of the cases
are concluded, the government will give a full account of the funds to
Nigerians

Alhaji Mohammed re-assured Nigerians who have useful information on
looted funds that the government will protect their identities and
also ensure that they get the stipulated reward for their efforts.