Just In : Tinubu’s Minister, Lalong Makes Surprise Revelation On NSITF
The federal government has established a committee to thoroughly investigate the persistent conflicts within the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and to formulate a long-lasting resolution to the issues.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, made this revelation during a visit to the NSITF headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. He affirmed that since assuming office, he has received numerous petitions regarding the matter.
Lalong admitted that he was previously unaware of the existence of an agency like NSITF in the country until his appointment as minister. He stated that he has carefully reviewed all the petitions submitted to his office.
Recall that the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had summoned high-ranking officials of the NSITF for inquiry concerning a gratuity payment of N47 million to the Managing Director of the Fund, Mrs. Maureen Allagoa.
In a letter dated September 14, 2023, referencing ICPC/SSD/TB/197/2023 and addressed to the Managing Director, those summoned include the Heads of Administration, Finance and Investment, as well as Audit and Inspectorate Departments.
Commenting on this situation, Lalong acknowledged his awareness of various issues stemming from the Fund, notably the matter involving the MD’s payment to herself, her subsequent interrogation by the ministry, and her reimbursement of the funds when it was disclosed to the public.
“Yes, we saw achievements. We also saw a lot of complaints. A lot of complaints came from this agency. And that was why we all came up to look at it first hand and to see how to address some of these issues. There is no agency that has no problem.
“There’s no ministry that has no problem, but if you have problems, you look at ways of addressing some of these problems, so that you can move forward. You may want to step beyond your bounds because you want to achieve beyond that bounds. That is my prayer for NSITF today.
“We are here to look at them, it is not to say we are here to open up opportunity to collect grievances again. I want to assure you that those that came to me both formally and informally, I am aware. Just like I told you the other time, there is no petition that comes to me that I don’t look at it. I look at it and I will address it. Right now, I’ve addressed all of them.
“It is not only in the interest of the nation, but it’s also in your own interest, because you are given responsibilities and those responsibilities given to you can be accessed. Who knows? Tomorrow, the next Minister of Labour and Employment may come from NSITF. That’s why we are here today.
“As a way forward, I quickly set up a committee and that committee I’m going to inaugurate tomorrow to handle all these, summarize them and bring up to me,” the minister said.
The minister pointed out that to outsiders, the ministry is primarily recognized for its role in resolving labor disputes and preventing potential strike actions that labor unions may consider initiating.
He said, “In the whole of outside, people think in the ministry, it is just to settle disputes between workers, and yes, we have been baptised with one. That was the withdrawal of the subsidy. Of course, that took the attention of the nation, and gratefully, that was resolved yesterday.
“Everybody was thinking that would be the mother of all strikes. I must say to that to the cooperation of the labour leaders, Nigeria is moving forward, moving forward.
“Back to the ministry, we gave opportunity for briefings and each agency, all the agencies also came on their own but at the end of the day after collections and summary of all, we realised that this is one big ministry.
“For me, like I said, that time, I never knew about NSITF until I became a Minister of Labour and Employment. Out of all the agencies, I’m not saying others are not important, but there is one that we must focus on, if we want to succeed in that ministry. That was why we give this priority to take this visit to your agency. I thank you very much for the welcome.”
