The Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Maureen Allagoa, noted on Tuesday that the agency is re-modelling its programmes and operations in line with the eight-point agenda of the Tinubu administration.
While she urged the management and staff of the Fund to key in the new direction of the Fund, Allagoa, who said this at the maiden edition of the NSITF Central Management Performance Review (CMPR) meeting in Abuja, added that the event, which is the apex level of the review, is part of the roadmap for the strategic restructuring of the NSITF.
She said, “It is my expectation that the next two days will avail us of 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 after 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 horizons of social inclusion for 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.
“Yes, I dare say target-surpassing 2024 because of the unprecedented achievement in 2023. Let me use this opportunity 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 2024. The reason behind this bold move is not to set you up to fail, but rather a reflection of the confidence we have in your ability to achieve the unprecedented.”
She further expressed satisfaction with the results of the conclusions from the last regional management performance review as well as the monthly review held in October and December 2023, respectively, stating that the 32 strategic observations arising therefrom provided a compass for the successful planning and navigation of the ECS.
“The 32 observations raised at the regional management review were comprehensively deliberated on at several EXCO meetings and have indeed catalysed the management into informed decision-making, leading to new strategies to achieve our 2024 target and even surpassing it.”
The Managing Director also announced new operational policies and strategic action plans to include the adoption of the ECS compliance certificates as part of bidding requirements for contracts in the states of the federation, a harmonised ECS central database in all branches and regions to forestall double registration, aggressive registration of new employers, segmentation of all coverage areas to ensure effective enforcement, intensification of occupational safety and health awareness to reduce workplace accidents, and ensuring that all staff participate in at least one training a year.
She added, “Management has approved the creation of 4 new branches in the Lagos region (Surulere, Epe, Badagry, and Lagos Central branches) and the 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 centre 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 the Abuja Region to the Ibadan Region, the Yenegoa Branch from Asaba Region to the Port Harcourt Region, and the Onitsha Branch from Enugu Region to the Owerri Region on the basis of proximity and ease of operation.
She also reiterated the commitment of executive management to staff welfare.
“Management is in conversation with Pro Health, our health insurance provider, with a view to kick-starting a review of the health insurance plan for staff to ensure that you continue to receive adequate medical care irrespective of the escalating costs of things in the country.”
She also acknowledged the anxiety among staff members over promotion and assured that the exercise for the outstanding 2023 and 2024 will commence in no distant time as the parent Ministry of Labour and Employment rounds off its intervention in the matter.
Also present at the event were the Executive Director of Operations, Modu Gana, who urged the staff to work hard to achieve the new target; Professor G.O.C. Okenwa (Administration), who further amplified the operational policies and strategic action plans; and the Executive Director of Finance, Adegoke Adedeji, who assured staff of improved remunerations.
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