THE Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has revealed that the Federal Government has issued a circular for the commencement of the mandatory contributions of one percent of the emoluments of all public servants to the fund’s Employees’ Compensation Scheme.

This was contained in a statement by NSITF’s Corporate Affairs General Manager, Nwachukwu Godson.

The statement noted that the Federal Government, in a circular dated September 22 and signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume and copied to all  arms of the Federal Government and agencies under them, said the Extraordinary Session of Federal Executive Council under President Muhammadu Buhari had on Monday, May 15, given approval for statutory one percent e-deduction from the total emoluments of federal public servants as employee compensation contributions, with effect from January 2023.

The statement added that the circular directed the minister of finance to “deduct the contributions from source and remit same to the NSITF for the payment of claims and compensations to deserving beneficiaries for death, injury, disease or disability sustained in the course of duty as provided in the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010, Act No. 13. It further directed all ministries, departments and agencies to ensure strict compliance with the circular.”

Revealing the development when she visited the new office housing the Abuja Region and FCT branch of the fund in the Maitama area at the weekend, the Managing Director, NSITF, Maureen Allagoa, eulogised the bold decision of the Federal Government, saying the fund has further been energised to deliver on its responsibilities t Nigerian workers.

“We received a circular from the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, making it compulsory for one percent contribution from the total emoluments of public servants to be compulsorily remitted to the NSITF in view of the Employees’ Compensation Act.

This is a giant plus to our charge as the nation’s core social security agency as it will give a big push to the momentum of our operations in their ramifications. There shall be no excuses on our own part in fully keying into the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of the Federal Government. The effort is collective and we shall not rest on our oars until we reach out to all Nigerian workers whether in the formal or informal sector.”

Allagoa also added that the urgency given to securing a new office for the Abuja region and the FCT branch was in line with her commitment to decent work and reassured the workers of “rights at work, human dignity, social protection and dialogue in line with the Decent Work Agenda of the International Labour Organisation.

We have gone round and observed some challenges which will be tackled forthwith. Staff should feel comfortable. Your welfare is key because once we get the staff welfare correct, everything falls in place in terms of performance.”

“Earlier in the year, some buses were procured and sent to offices in each region to ease operations. And recently, we received another batch of 10 buses for distribution while the rest will come at the end of the year.

“To further boost morale, management is putting together a reward package for those staff who personally and collectively distinguish themselves in the performance of duty. The measure will spur others on.

Besides, we are working out a new three-tier structure for MPR.  First is the monthly online engagement with branch and regional managers to keep track of their performance, then the quarterly regional MPR where two or three regions will be brought together at a centre with delegates sent from the head office and finally, the biannual MPR.”

She equally commended the staff of the Abuja region and the branch for their performance in meeting up with their targets.

Allagoa was accompanied on the visit by the Executive Director, Finance, Adegoke Adedeji; General Manager, Compliance, Kabir Maaji; General Manager, Jonah Nedamanya, among others.

Meanwhile, reacting to the NSITF MD’s revelation, the Association of Senior Staff of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFI) has praised Allagoa for her commitment to the decent work and steadfastness to social dialogue in the resolution of disputes.

ASSIBFI said this through its Abuja Region’s Public Relations Officer, Godwin Ekpa, who also assured of the support of the workers to the fund.

He said, “I want to start by recognising the fact that your management showed promptness in relocating the Abuja region and the FCT branch to this new office when we raised alarm over the condition of the former office. And for you to visit us here in less than three weeks we re-located, demonstrates the extent you care for the staff.”