From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund(NSITF), Maureen Allagoa, has said that the agency will remodelled in line with 8-point agenda of the President Bola Tinubu’s-led administration.
Allagoa, who spoke at the maiden edition of the Fund’s Central Management Performance Review (CMPR) meeting in Abuja, added that the event, which is at the apex level of the review, was part of the roadmap for the strategic restructuring of the NSITF.
The Managing Director also announced new operational policies and strategic action plans to include the adoption of the Employee Compensation Scheme (ECS) compliance certificate as part of bidding requirements for contracts in Nigeria.
She further disclosed of efforts to centralize the ECS database in order to prevent duplications, register new employers, and enforce coverage areas.
Allagoa added that this would ensure effective enforcement, intensify occupational safety and health awareness as well as reduce workplace accidents.
She said, “it is my expectation that the next two days will avail us the opportunity and the platform for target setting for 2024 as well as a comprehensive and comparative review of the 2023 target performances as branches and as regions, with a view to learning from our shortcomings and improving on our successes for a target-surpassing 2024.
“The Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) is fortuitously in alignment with the poverty reduction and healthy national workforce agenda of the Tinubu administration. The cardinal place we occupy as the operators of the scheme in achieving this lofty national objective demands doubling down, meaning an extra mile for us to ensure we leave no gaps in fully fulfilling our mandate.
“I’m glad that we have left no stone unturned barely a year we came on board, as we broadened the bracket of beneficiaries of different categories of claims and compensations by the deserving registered injured workers while exploring other aspects of the ILO Convention 102 to widen the horizon of social inclusion to all Nigerians.”
Commending the staff of the agency for the unprecedented 98% projected target achieved in 2023, Allagoa expressed confidence that the record will be surpassed in 2024, exhorting all staff to do more.
portunity to congratulate you all on the achievement of ECS contributions in 2023, which is the highest annual collection figure in the history of the Fund.
“The reward for work well done is more work. That is why the management has set a higher ECS target for the year 2024. The reason behind this bold move is not to set you up to fail, but rather a reflection of the confidence we in your ability to achieve the unprecedented.”
She added, “management has approved the creation of 4 new branches in Lagos region (Surulere, Epe, Badagry and Lagos Central branches) and Bonny Service Delivery Centre, pending the approval of the Board/Minister.
“These will be the first of many more branches and SDCs to be created in furtherance of our branch-in-branch expansion policy and service delivery centres policy.
“Regional and Branch Managers who have genuine cases for new branches or service delivery centres in their coverage areas can forward comprehensive data on the proposed locations, outlining the justification, benefits, and cost implications to the management for consideration.”
“Pending approval by the Board also, the Managing Director further announced the re-alignment of the Ilorin Branch of the Fund from Abuja Region to Ibadan Region and Yenegoa Branch from Asaba Region to the Port Harcourt Region as well as Onitsha Branch from Enugu Region to the Owerri Region on the basis of proximity and ease of operation.”