The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) and Social Development Integrated Centre (Social Action) have reached an understanding to work together to expand whistleblowing as a mechanism for achieving transparency and accountability in the Niger Delta region.
According to Kolawole Ogunbiyi, programme manager, AFRICMIL, “We are in the process of amplifying advocacy around whistleblowing in health, education, and the extractive industry, and we are looking to first focus on health and education in the Niger Delta region.” He recalled that successive administrations had over the years poured funds into the development of the region through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), particularly for the improvement of health and education of the people.
He said that it was time to find out whether the funds so far committed have yielded the expected results in terms of access and quality education, as well as in addressing environmental degradation and other health issues in the region. “The best people to answer this question,” Ogunbiyi pointed out, “are the people themselves.” He said that is why AFRICMIL has chosen to collaborate with Social Action to introduce whistleblowing to the people of the Niger Delta and build their capacity to use it as a tool for exposing corrupt practices.
Social Action is excited by this collaboration. “No doubt, this collaboration will be mutually beneficial considering the enormous impact that promoting whistleblowing practice among community people will have on accountability at the sub-national levels, particularly on issues involving the extractive sector (resource accountability),” said Isaac Botti, programme manager, Social Action.
He stated that his organization is ready to promote the whistleblowing platform within the context of its various programmes and project activities.
