The Head, Education Department of Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) in Osun State, Mr. Baba Shuaib, has advocated the creation of a system to protect those who give information on corrupt practices in the public service, saying it will assist the nation to reduce corruption.
Shuaib’s position was contained in a paper he presented on the occasion to mark the International Anti-Corruption Day in Osogbo, Osun State capital on Monday.
He lamented that corruption had continued in the public service despite the anti-corruption crusade but said the fight against the menace would be successful if mechanism was put in place for whistle-blowing and there was protection for whistle-blowers.
He said, “Mechanism for whistle-blowing and protection for whistle-blowers must be developed and maintained. There must be a known and structured channel for reporting acts that run against the stated values and ethics of the organisation.
“There must also be protection for those that blow the whistle. It is only when this is assured and seen to be practically operative, that the conspiracy of silence can be broken and corrupt people in the system exposed”.
According to Shuaib, some public servants are not corrupt but they are afraid of exposing those they know to be involved in graft because there is no protection for them.
This, he said, had emboldened corrupt officials to continue in the act.