Work To Resume on N130B 2nd Niger Bridge

Federal government yesterday approved the immediate resumption of work on the Second Niger Bridge which it earlier suspended over the need to review the contract.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, disclosed this yesterday while briefing  State House corespondents, shortly after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

This is just as Federal Executive Council also yesterday approved the “Whistleblower Initiative” aimed at encouraging Nigerians to report suspicious financial dealings without fear of repercussions.

Minister of Finance Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, whose Ministry is behind the initiative, had presented a memo to the Federal Executive Council which  considered and approved the programme

The 2nd bridge which was started by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan links Anambra and Delta states and is  to be executed under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) at an estimated to cost of N130billion.

Fashola, a former Governor of Lagos state, described the project as capable of offering strong relief to regular travelers on that route as the first Niger bridge had been a source of traffic problems, especially during end of year trips in the area.

“The second memo related to the continuation of work on the second Niger Bridge which is the bridge that is meant to give relief to the existing Niger bridge and improve connectivity between the West and the East.

“The project was conceived first as a PPP with government financing but the investors had not brought themselves, negotiations had not been concluded and it is important to continue to work there” he said

Minister of Finance while speaking on the Whistleblower programme, explained that it was designed to encourage anyone with information about a violation, misconduct or improper activity that impacts negatively on the Nigerian people and government to report it.

She described a Whistleblower as “any person who voluntarily discloses information in good faith about a possible misconduct or violation that has occurred, is on-going, or is about to occur.”

She assured that information received under the programme will be routed through a secure online portal where the information could be submitted while the status of such could also be checked.

“type of information that can be submitted include mismanagement or misappropriation of public funds and assets (e.g. properties and vehicles), financial malpractice or fraud and collecting/soliciting bribes. ”

Such information would includes corruption, diversion of revenues, fraudulent and unapproved payments, splitting of contracts,
procurement fraud (kickbacks and over-invoicing etc).

She however warned that information relating to personal matters concerning private contracts or agreements, etc will not be entertained under the poragramme.

” Any one with required information could send it through the dedicated portal and may not have to disclose his/her identity while providing information”

She also assured that confidentiality would be maintained to the fullest extent within the limitations of the law, noting, “If you choose not to disclose your identity, there will be no record of who you are. If you choose to disclose your identity, it will be fully protected.”

The minister added: “If you whistleblower in public-spirit and in good faith, you will be protected. If you feel that you have been treated badly because of your report, you can file a formal complaint. If you have suffered harassment, intimidation or victimization for sharing your concerns, restitution will be made for any loss suffered.”

She also said that investigations would be confidential, objective and speedy and where it is a criminal case, it will be referred to the relevant agencies; Police, Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) or Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to her, there will be sanctions for individuals or corporate bodies involved in diversion of public funds such as referral to anti-corruption agencies for possible prosecution, blacklisting from working with or doing business with the government.

She also disclosed that where there is be a voluntary return of stolen or concealed public funds or assets on the account of the information provided, the whistleblower may be entitled to anywhere between 2.5% (minimum) and 5.0% (maximum) of the total amount recovered.

“You must have provided the government with information it does not already have and could not otherwise obtain from any other publicly available source to the government,” she stated.

Speaking on protection from false or malicious claims, she said a first level review would always be carried out to determine credibility and sufficiency of information received.

“If you report false or misleading information, it will be referred to the enforcement agents for investigation and possible prosecution,” she added.