The River State government has urged corporate entities operating in the state to key into Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) scheme as a way to ensure proper care in the event of accidents at work places.
Tammy Danagogo, secretary to the Rivers State government made this call during an advocacy visit by the management of the NSITF in Port Harcourt.
Describing the NSITF as the only government institution backed by law to cater for employees’ welfare in the event of work-related accidents or injuries, the secretary said the scheme is necessary to allow corporate organisations benefit.
He said, “This is a laudable scheme that our people should tap into. I am of the view that, anything that can be done for the good of our people, we should put every effort to achieve it. In government, workers are on the first line of beneficiary in work-related schemes”
While he noted that as a leader, he is morally burdened to help the immediate family of staff who die or get injured even when there is no dedicated fund for such, he appreciated the scheme which is designed as an inbuilt mechanism to handle issues of emergency funds for death or accidents as part of inevitable events of life.
“Be rest assured that we will put in our effort to enable our people to benefit by having them better understand the objectives of the NSITF,” Danagogo said.
Geofry Otokito, regional manager of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, expressed delight in the scheme which is based on one percent of payroll of employers remitted to the fund as he noted that prior to the foundation of the scheme, many Nigerians employed with international corporations were abandoned after an accident.
He noted: “Presently, NSITF is taking up the challenges of many Nigerians who had accidents on the line of duty to ensure they are duly compensated. Death benefits are also being rendered to immediate family members of those who registered with us.”
