By Harry Awurumibe, State House, Abuja
Apparently to eliminate corruption in the National Social Investment Programme (N-SIP) of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, three key agencies of the Federal Government have today launched a toll- free whistle blower hotline to track down fraudulent activities of facilitators and beneficiaries of the programme.
The official launch which took place at the State House Auditorium Annex, Abuja was supervised by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disasters Management and Social Development, Hajia Sadiya Umar Farouq.
Speaking at the event which was jointly put together by her ministry and the NSIO in collaboration with Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), the minister said she is honoured to be part of the laudable initiative which she said align with the vision of President Buhari led Federal Government to rid Nigeria of corruption and other forms of sharp practices.
” To do this is actually a fight against people who want to sabotage the effort of the Federal Government in its aim of reducing extreme poverty that impede on Nigeria’s Socio- Economic and Political development “, she argued.
Hajia Farouq therefore stated that ” this is why this collaborative engagement between NSIO and ICPC is crucial as it aims to prevent and eliminate third party corruption in the National Social Investment Programme (N- SIP)”.
She however thanked all the international partners and NGOs for their technical and financial support towards the establishment and scale- up of community based monitoring through 3rd party monitors and CSOs being coordinated by ActionAid.
Also speaking at the occasion ICPC Board Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye disclosed that ICPC is set to collaborate with other arms and agencies of the Federal Government to fight corruption in the country, adding that ” ICPC intends to work NSIO to diminish corruption in N-SIP”.
The One-Day Media Launch with the theme ” Strengthening collaborative efforts in promoting transparency and accountability in the delivery of the national social investment programme” has its key feature being the launch of Toll- free Whistle Blower hotline number: 0800-call- ICPC or 0800- 2255- 4272.
