Senate To Pass Whistle-Blower Protection Bill July

He made this known at the launch of “Antidotes for Corruption: The Nigerian Story”, a book written by Dino Melaye, the senator representing Kogi West, on Monday in Abuja.

The senate president said when backed by legislation, whistle-blowing would have greater value “and it is hoped that we can pass it before July this year”.

On the fight against corruption, Saraki said the executive and legislature must work hard to make it difficult for proceeds of corruption to find any hope.

“We must fight corruption with sincerity. We must aim to go to the root of the problem. We must strengthen our institutions.

“If we work on prevention we will get to a milestone in our fight against corruption,’’ he said.

Saraki called on Nigerians not to accept corruption as normal, but to see it as a huge problem to the country.

“Nigeria and Nigerians have not accepted corruption as normal; we recognize it as a problem; we are determined to make a break with our past and live by different rules.

“We must review our approaches in favour of building systems that make it a lot more difficult to carry out corrupt acts or to find a safe haven for corruption proceeds within our borders.

“In doing this, we must continue to strengthen accountability, significantly limit discretion in public spending, and promote greater openness,” he said.

On the passage of the 2017 budget, Saraki said it was the first time the National Assembly ensured openness.

“For the first time in our political history, the budget of the National Assembly changed from a one-line item to a 34-page document that shows details of how we plan to utilize the public funds that we appropriate to ourselves.

“The people are demanding more openness, more accountability and more convictions.

“Those of us in government are also responding, joining the conversation and accepting that the basis of our legitimacy as government is our manifest accountability to the people,” he said.