Whistleblower Policy – The federal government has admitted that one of its policies, whistleblowing, has failed to produce results, claiming that it has lost momentum.
On December 21, 2016, Nigeria implemented a whistleblowing policy to encourage people to voluntarily disclose information about fraud and other forms of corruption or theft.
The policy compensates a whistleblower who provides information about financial mismanagement or a tip about stolen funds to the ministry’s portal with 2.5 percent to 5% of the funds recovered by the Nigerian government, Leadership reports.
To give a fresh life to the policy, the minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, however disclosed yesterday that the federal government has approved the draft bill to strengthen the fight against corruption and to also enable protection for whistleblowers that provide information for use by the government.
She made the remark while briefing State House correspondents following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the presidential villa in Abuja, which was presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
“The Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning presented a number of memos today,” she said. The first is a 2022 draft whistleblower bill. This memo has been reviewed and approved by council, with a provision to ensure compliance with the Evidence Act.
“As you are aware, the council has approved the establishment of the Presidential Initiative of Continuous Audit since 2016.” (PICA). PICA has collaborated with the EFCC, ICPC, DSS, NFIU, and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.
“We have noticed that the whistleblower policy response has slowed. We conducted engagements in each of the six geopolitical zones, and one of the main findings was that people are concerned about their safety as a result of providing information. As a result, this bill is critical to ensuring the effectiveness of the whistleblower policy’s retention.”
The minister also stated that the council approved a total of N9.24 billion for Nigeria public servants’ 2022/2023 Group Life Insurance Coverage.
Ahmed, who stated that the memo was presented to the Council by the Federation’s Head of Civil Service, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, stated that the insurance is intended to cover all government officials.
“The Federation’s Head of Service presented to the Council a memo on Group Life Insurance Coverage for the period 2022-2023. This is an insurance policy that covers all government officials in all government agencies, as well as military and intelligence personnel. The council approved a total of N9.24 billion for insurance coverage from 2022 to 2023.
“As you know, the insurance will take effect from the date of payment, and in Nigeria, by our laws, the insurance cover is 30% of the annual emolument of any deceased government staff, and this cover is paid by the insurance company to the deceased staff’s beneficiaries,” she explained.
The FEC also approved Finance Bill 2022, which is intended to aid in the implementation of the 2023 budget.
“If you recall, at His Excellency Mr. President’s public presentation of the budget to the National Assembly, the President committed to the parliament that a 2022 Finance bill will be submitted to the parliament by the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning to support the implementation of the 2023 budget,” Ahmed said.
“So, we’ve been working on this bill and have held numerous consultations. The bill we presented to Council today focuses on five areas: tax equity reforms, climate change and green growth provisions, job creation and economic growth reforms, tax incentive reform, and revenue-enhancing tax administration.
“The purpose of the tax equity reforms is to combat tax evasion and aggressive tax planning practices that some companies operating in Nigeria are involved in but also enabling the utilization of ICT tools and using international best practice to assess taxpayers’ tax on a fair reasonable basis.
“The climate change green growth focus will complement non-fiscal reforms that are designed to reduce greenhouse emissions and also to facilitate domestic and international investment in climate adaptation, as well as mitigation and also to enhance green growth and create jobs.
“The third focus area, job creation and economic growth, is also intended to supplement ease of doing business and other reforms to support capital formation by the private sector, as well as to foster enabling business environments for micro, small, and medium enterprises for youth and women in business.”
The minister also stated that it would help to improve the performance of businesses in the FinTech, ICT, entertainment, fashion, sports, and art sectors.
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“The fifth Focus Area revenue generation and tax administration is to complement the ease of doing business and other reforms that enhance tax administration.
“This finance bill amends a number of fiscal laws, including the capital gains tax, company income tax, customs excise tariff Act, Federal Inland Revenue Service Act, personal income tax, stamp duties act, tertiary education tax, VAT act, Insurance Act, Nigerian Police Trust Fund Act, and the National Agency for Engineering Act NASANI.” finance control management act, as well as fiscal responsibility.
“With Council’s approval, His Excellency Mr President will convey to the National Assembly a request for consideration of this bill.”
Ahmed also hinted that the council approved a memo for the design, construction, and supply of nine Ballistic Riverian assault boats and nine patrol boats with all associated accessories in favor of Messrs Sewa West African Limited in the amount of N689,722,681.30 inclusive of 7.5% VAT for the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).
In addition, Clem Agba, minister of state for Budget, stated that the council approved the revised National Social Protection Policy presented by the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning.
“Council approved the revised national social protection policy 2021-2025,” he said. This revised national social protection policy is a continuation of a previous policy that was in effect from 2017 to 2020. The review was carried out in collaboration with all relevant ministries, departments and agencies at both the federal and state levels as well as other key stakeholders, including development partners.
“Recall that when the first policy was implemented, there was no ministry such as humanitarian affairs. We now have that ministry. And because this is required as part of the review process every four years, the review had to be completed.
“In reviewing this policy, statewide consultations were embarked upon to harness advice and ideas from all stakeholders for the efficient and effective coordination of the policy.
“The National Social Protection Council is to be set up to be chaired by His Excellency the Vice President, with the Secretariat domiciled in the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, the ministers of labour and employment and then the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development who serve as vice chair of that council. There will also be a technical working group, which those two ministers will co-chair.”
Abubakar Aliyu, Minister of Power, stated that the council approved the contract for the procurement of 20 number transformer tons ratio analyzes awarded to Segulu Stembek Global Services Ltd for N564,231,854.08 with 7.5% VAT and a completion new period of four months.
He stated that the transformer tons, ratio analyzers are cutting-edge testing devices for reliable testing and diagnosis of power transformers.
The minister pointed out that the device previously in use was an old one.
“So, this is newer technology that is more dependable. the ad. As a result, it has served as proof,” he added.
