Kaduna Assembly to pass whistle-blower, anticorruption bills — Speaker

The Kaduna State House of Assembly says it will pass the
Whistleblower Protection Bill and the Anti-corruption Bill by next
week, as part of commitment to open governance in the state.

The Speaker of the House, Aminu Shagali, made the disclosure at
the opening of a meeting with relevant stakeholders on “Open
Government Partnership (OPG)” in Kaduna on Thursday.

The meeting, supported by DFID-Supported Partnership to Engage,
Reform and Learn (PERL), was organised for people of the state to
engage OGP community on the status of the state’s Action Plan and
the journey so far.

Mr Shagali, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Nuhu
Shadalafiya, explained that the effort was to help open governance
in Kaduna State to strengthen transparency and accountability.

““As representatives of the people, we have a duty to make
necessary legislation that will aid open government process with a
view to carry the people along and make their voice count.

“The whistle-blower bill, when passed will provide a cover and
protect people who provide information on anomalies and unlawful
conduct by persons, public officials and corporate bodies in the
state.

“The anti-corruption bill will also help in the fight against
all forms of corruption in the state,” he said.

The Speaker said that Freedom of Information Bill will also be
passed in the state in no distant time.

He restated the support of the legislative arm of government in
the state in ensuring inclusion, transparency and accountability in
governance with a view to improving the lot of the people.

He urged Kaduna citizens to take advantage of the OGP to make
their voice count in demanding for better services from government
intervention.

NAN