By JOSEPH ERUNKE

The Federal Government has attributed the slow implementation of its Group Life Assurance Scheme for its workers to what it called “lapses in the processing and settlement of claims as well as proper documentation.”

To this end, it has commenced training of officers in the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to enhance capacity and sustainability of the Scheme.

Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Bello Isa Sali who disclosed this last week in Abuja, at a three day seminar for desk officers in the various federal government MDAs on the enhancement of effective implementation of the Scheme, regretted that some lapses were observed in the processing and settlement of claims as well as proper documentation, which are capable of creating impediments in the efficient and effective implementation of the scheme.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Common Services Office, Alhaji Mohammed Sambo Bashar, Alhaji Sali regretted that in spite of series of sensitization programmes on the scheme which were organised at its take-off to create awareness and understanding of the workings by all Government employees especially the Insurance Desk Officers in the MDAs, the scheme still experienced some lapses.

“The purpose of this enhancement training programme is to address these observed lapses. Papers have been carefully selected to include a balanced array of topics that would facilitate the attainment of the objectives of the Scheme”, he said.

The programme, according to him, was intended to avail participants the opportunities of clarifying issues that have been  bothering Desk Officers regarding the implementation of the scheme  which was flagged-off in 2008.

He urged participants to utilise the opportunity to acquire the knowledge that will enhance their performance in achieving the objectives of their mandate as Desk Officers of the Scheme in the MDAs.

The Group Life Assurance Scheme is a statutory creation by virtue of Section 9(3) of Pension Reform Act, 2004, which requires that all employers of not less than five employees must maintain Life Assurance Policy in favour of each employee for a minimum of three times his/her total emolument per annum.

The Scheme provides that, in the event of death of any serving officer, his/her next of kin would be given a relief equivalent to three times the annual total emoluments of the deceased, in addition to the deceased officer’s normal entitlement after service.