Fight against corruption: Whistle blowers provide 2,251 tips

The Federal Ministry of Finance has come out with the details of whistle blower update as at 24th March, 2017 and disclosed that a total of 2,251 tips were received as at that date.
According to a press statement signed by Festus Akanbi, SA Media to Honourable Minister of Finance, “Communication includes enquiries, tips, compliments and general advice from the public”.
He explained that tips 95 were received through the ministry’s website (www.whistle.finance.gov.ng); 1,550 were received through calls (09098067946); SMS provides 412 while 194 tips came from emails (whistle@finance.gov.ng) .
The report reveals that total number of tips received were 282. Tips received through Calls – 49; Tips received through SMS – 87; tips received through website – 95; tips received through e-mail – 51.
The analysis shows that a total of actionable tips received were 154. Some of the tip types include: Contract Inflation and Conversion of Government Assets to Personal use ; Ghost workers; Payment of unapproved funds.
Others are embezzlement of salaries of terminated personnel; improper reduction of financial penalties; diversion of funds meant for distribution to a particular group of people (farmers); diversion of funds to personal commercial Bank Accounts to earn interest; non-remittance of pension & NHIS deductions
Failure to Implement projects for which funds have been provided; embezzlement of funds received from Donor agencies; embezzlement of funds meant for payment of Personnel emoluments; violation of TSA regulations by keeping funds in Commercial banks; violation of FIRS (VAT) regulation by adjusting Value Added Tax payment; non-procurement of equipment required for Aviation Safety, are also listed.
Others are: money laundering and diversion of funds meant for approved projects; illegal sale of government assets; diversion of revenue (IGR); financial misappropriations (embezzlement); concealed bailout funds; mismanagement of Microfinance banks; illegal recruitments and violation of procurement Act