Business and Economy
NSITF Commits To Transparency , Accountability.
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund , NSITF, says it is committed to ensuring transparency and Accountability while carrying out its statutory mandate.
This is contained in statement by the General Manager/ Head Corporate Affairs, Ijeoma orji _Okoronkwo and made available to Newsmen in Abuja.
The statement became necessary as a result of the purported call by some staff of the Fund allegedly requesting an immediate probe of the agency by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) as well as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) .
According to the statement , the call was based on alleged breakdown of the ICPC information graph showing that 52 agencies which includes NSITF were identified as non-responsive, implying that these agencies did not respond to enquiries on them.
The statement explains that the allegation of corruption against the Fund which was taken out of context to suit a negative purpose is therefore unfounded and an attempt to distract the management from its commitments to carrying out its mandates.
The statement further explains that current management of the Fund,under President Muhammadu Buhari and the supervision of the Minster for Labour and Employment Senator Chris Nwabueze Ngige have been piloting the affairs of the Fund in line with international best practices for the benefit of all and Sundry.
“This is predicated on the fact that the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund under the current leadership runs an open door policy and has not defaulted in the Fund’s mandate and the presidential directives on transparency and accountability.
However, we take any accusations of corruption very seriously and will maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards such behavior as our books are open and our records are there to speak for us”
On the same premise we reiterate that the alleged complaints by “Anonymous staff”are more imaginary than real.They are the work of a few who are disgruntled that due process is now in the system
“In the meantime, we would like to reassure the public that the NSITF remains fully committed to its mandate of providing social security to all Nigerian workers.. The Fund will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our operations are conducted with the highest level of integrity and transparency.As of date we have fully paid adequate monetary compensations to workers who suffer worplace or any other type of accidents in the course of work.Organisations with such work place patients have had such medical Bills paid or reimbursed appropriately by NSITF and victims given Prosthesis where necessary by our claims and Compensation Department in consonance with the Employees Compensation Act(ECA)2010 which is our operational Law.Same goes for our family welfare package for the Family dependants if the accident result in the death of the Employee- the family bread winner.All organisations that are up to date in their contributions can attest to these facts”