N’assembly to expand NSITF mandate
• Ngige pledges support for safe workplace programme
THERE are indications that the National Assembly may expand the mandate of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) bey ond employees’ compensation scheme to include other forms of social security initiatives.
The Managing Director of NSITF, Adebay o Somefun, who disclosed this at the yearly Safe W orkplace Intervention Project (SWIP) award ceremony in Lagos, explained that the expansion of the mandates would empower the Fund to contribute massively to the social investment schemes of the Federal Government.
This comes as the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige also pledged to support the Fund’s efforts at ensuring a safe workplace in the country.
Dr Ngige, who was represented by the Director , department of Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in the federal ministr y of Labour and Employment, Dr Ifeoma Anyawutaku, described the occupational safety and health management systems audit that was used to score organisations’ OSH compliance levels. It also focuses on continuous improvement in the work environment which effectively put under control accidents and other hazardous exposures related to work. The Minister added: “The incorporation of the Occupational Safety and Health Audit into the SWIP is therefore, highly commendable as it ahs continued to promote the implementation of the occupational safety and health management systems approach at enterprises level.”
Specifically, Somefun, who is a Lawyer, explained that the bill tagged ‘Amendment of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund Act Bill, 2018’ is targeted at income support for the poor and the unemployed in the active group age of between 18-35 years as unemployment benefit.
The law also makes provision for all residents in old age or with disabilities to enjoy income security at least at the poverty level through old age benefit or grant for 65 years and above, disability benefit or grant, invalidity benefit or grant, survivors benefit and death grant.
Also, under the proposed law, all children would enjoy income security at least at the poverty level through various family/child benefits or grants aimed at facilitating access to nutrition, education and care.
The NSITF boss also hinted that a collaborative effort between the Fund and Federation of Construction Industries (FOCI) would be consummated soon aimed at reducing fatality in the injury-prone sector.