APBN urges National Assembly to work on Whistle blowing Law
The Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) has called on the National Assembly to work on enactment of the Whistle Blowing Law. The President of the association, Dr Omede Idris made the call during the First Board Meeting of the Association in 2017 held in Lagos on Thursday and hosted by the Association of […]
The Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) has called on the National Assembly to work on enactment of the Whistle Blowing Law.
The President of the association, Dr Omede Idris made the call during the First Board Meeting of the Association in 2017 held in Lagos on Thursday and hosted by the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN)
According to him, the Whistle Blowing Bill is a good innovation where people are either compensated or appreciated for exposing corrupt officers in the various professions.
He said this was why the APBN aligned with anti-corruption agencies, adding that this would sanitise the system.
“We have to protect those who volunteer information,’’ Omede said.
According to him, APBN supports and will continually collaborate with government agencies such as the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption and other agencies to fight against corruption, illicit financial flows, money laundering, tax evasion and embezzlement.
“Such fight of financial crimes should be holistic, corrective and nor selective or on vendetta mission,’’ Omede said.
He added that the APB N also wanted the National Assembly to address some other pending bills and bills for amendment for passage.
The APBN president said, `these include amendment of the TETFUND Act for tertiary health institutions.
Omede also stressed the need to step down the merger of the bank of industry (BOI), adding that the bank should be recapitalised.
“It should be allowed to function as a separate functional entity based on its impressive performance over the years.
“Also significant attention should be committed to the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), ‘’ the APBN president said.
He also commended the Federal Government for its continuous efforts toward the improvement of security of lives and properties and encouraging the various state governments to genuinely take issue of security serious to reduce recovery, kidnapping and destruction of various installations.
Omede called on the Federal Government to engage professionals and canvassed the use of Made-In-Nigeria products.
The APBN president said that government must demonstrate this in every facet by encouraging and supporting manufacturers and Nigerian made goods.
“Other areas of concern to APBN is in power generation and distribution in the country. We continuously call for improvement in this area, as such will significantly change the economic structure of the nation,’’ he said.
Omede said APBN expected quick passage of the 2017 budget and the assent by Mr President but noted that the association should be invited by government to submit its inputs to budgets.