***Disburses N.5billion  Naira  within five months, Undergoes repositioning 

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA- THE Chairman, management board  of   the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund,  NSITF, Prince Austin Enajemo-Isire has disclosed that in  the  year  about ending, 2021) alone, the agency has settled over 11,000 claimants.

According to the Chairman, the  financial account of the fund which was in areas of over 7 years   has been audited up to date with 2019 and 2020 currently under process and auditing.

Speaking with Journalists in Abuja Weekend on the repositioning move of the agency, he said, “Today, NSITF is currently undergoing a transformation and repositioning to deliver on its core mandate in line with the vision of the fund. Therefore, a new beginning, a renewed hope weaved around a commitment to rebuild NSITF that the Nigerian workers will be proud of.

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“It is gratifying to note that since the inauguration of the present executive management, the fund has been on a turnaround and a growth trajectory.

 “This is one of the key promises made by the management board to change the narratives during their inauguration with a view to enthroning sound policies, accountability and probity. 

“It may interest you to note that this year alone, well over 11,000 claims have been paid to different categories of claimants and more are being processed for payment. 

“At the inception of this management board and as contained in the Honourable Minister of Labour’s Speech, the financial account of the fund was in areas of over 7 years but as we speak, this has been audited up to date with 2019 and 2020 currently under process and auditing.”

The Chairman who noted  that NSITF continues to maintain presence in 11 regions and 56 branches across the nation to ensure easy accessibility by all employees and employers, said, “With these offices across the country, we will reach out to more Nigerians and ensure that every worker, both in the formal and informal sectors, are well protected.”

According to him, the Employee Compensation Act ( ECA) , guiding the operations of NSITF , was a fall out of  employee compensation scheme  introduced and powered by an act of parliament, known as ECA in  2010, adding, “The primary aims of the act is to provide a fair and guaranteed compensations to any employee of a registered employer who suffers occupational hazard while on active service; either leading to death or disability. 

“Since the enactment of the Act, we have seen a leap unto the mountain of progress and a low walk on the valleys of the not so good.”

This is as he urged  employers of labour both in the private and public sectors who are yet to key into the scheme to do so, as the board and new management are determined and yearning to deliver on their promises. 

On his part, the Managing Director , Dr Mike Akabodu explained that payments of over 11,000 claims by the Social Insurance body in 2021 alone is estimated to be over N1billion ,  N529.9million was disbursed to such claimants between June and November this year.

According to the NSITF Managing Director, the agency is undergoing transformation and repositioning for better service delivery to workers in the country, adding, “The ongoing strategic repositioning of NSITF is geared towards opening up a new chapter for it devoid of controversy and bad image in whatever form.”