Akwa Ibom State government is set to enrol workers in its employ in the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) scheme.
This was the hallmark of discussion when the state Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel played host to Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, who led a team of Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund , NSITF, officials, on a courtesy visit at Government House , Uyo .
Governor Emmanuel described the NSITF scheme as a major feat in the social security arrangement of the country and assured the Minister of the readiness of his administration to key into the scheme, urging operators of the scheme to step up enlightenment in its operations so as to earn the trust of it contributors.
He said : “Head of Service you don’t contribute to NSITF? I don’t know about that because I don’t check through the deductions from the payroll. My own is to go and look for the money that they can deduct from while they are to make the deductions and give whatever genuinely belongs to the people.
“They have to check through that because it’s something they have to comply but Honourable Minister let me also say here, I have been contributing towards this scheme since 1987, so we need more enlightenment on the scheme because people contribute but don’t know what to do and what steps to take.
“I think in this age of internet there should be a website to educate people so as to earn their trust. Awareness from your own side is necessary to show that people are saving for their own future”.
Mr. Emmanuel noted that Nigeria with her huge population cannot ignore such a laudable scheme and explained that social security keeps the people calm and reduce agitations.
“In any country that enjoys social insurance, the people are calm and are not prune to agitations. We really need this in a country like Nigeria where the population is so huge. I’m also hoping that there will be a time in Nigeria when our social security will really work, because social security in other parts of the world started in this format where you can save to provide for the days when you are weak”, the Governor stated.
Governor Emmanuel who drew the Minister’s attention to none inclusion of indigenes of the state in the the board of Sovereign Wealth Fund despite the state profile as the highest contributor to the fund, described the seeming politicization of development programmes, appointments and establishment of institutions as impediment to development.
“I want to see a new order in Nigeria where things of development will stand on their own and if we don’t redefine that today, we will all regret tomorrow. Some of these institutions are things that we really need for proper social structures in the country. These are institutions that are not supposed to be followed with partisanship”, Emmanuel emphasised .
He decried the situation where Nigeria, a country of over 200 million people has only one seaport, saying that a state like Akwa Ibom has a natural draught of 17.3Km that can easily be developed to serve the entire South-south and South-east.
The Governor was of the view that if things are done right in the country, neighbouring African countries with smaller economies would transship from Nigeria and even trade with the naira rather than worry about establishing their own seaports.
Earlier, Dr. Chris Ngige hinted that they were in the state for a two day NSITF retreat at Ibom Hotel And Gulf Resort.
He explained that NSITF is an agency of the federal government under the supervision of his Ministry and saddled with the responsibility of managing workers, social security, protection from work-related hazards and ensuring adequate compensation in the case of accident, incapacitation or death.
The Minister stated that the scheme, in line with the 2010 Act of Parliament of the Federal Government of Nigeria, provides that with as low as one percent of monthly pay, workers can be paid their premium and other benefits.
He therefore urged Akwa Ibom Government to enroll the state’s workers in the scheme, to be at par with employees by the federal government .
Dr Ngige expressed appreciation to the government and people of the state for the warm reception accorded the team , describing Uyo as the pride and choice town of Nigeria’s South-south region and Governor Emmanuel as a creditable manager of resources.
AFNews
Support Afnews Independent Journalism
At Afnews, we are dedicated to providing accurate, insightful, and timely news coverage. Our commitment to journalistic integrity ensures that you receive trustworthy information, unfiltered and unbiased. To maintain our independence and continue delivering quality content, we rely on the support of our readers.
If you value the work we do, please consider making a contribution. Your support enables us to keep bringing you the stories that matter.
Donate today and help us keep independent journalism alive. Thank you for your support!
