By Uche Onyeali
Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun has assured that men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, will be enrolled into the Employees Compensation Scheme, ECS, to provide additional social benefit.
The IGP gave the assurance at the weekend when the Managing Director of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, NSITF, Mr Oluwaseun Faleye led the executive and senior management of the Fund on an advocacy visit to the Force Headquarters.
Egbotokun, who commended the new managing director for the “radical changes” he has brought to NSITF since assumption of duties, said the Force will actively partner NSITF to ensure compliance with ECS among the public and private sector employers.
He said, “I listened to you and want to assure you that I have taken note of everything you said, all the issues you raised. From now on, we are going to work together to make sure that the Nigeria Police Force becomes active partners with NSITF. We are going to contribute to the scheme. We will do everything possible. Whatever that is stopping NPF from contributing to NSITF, we have to look into it and make sure that it works this time around.
“Then, with respect to your enforcement drive, please count on us that we will support you all the way. I have been monitoring your activities since you came in as head of the NSITF and I know that you have brought radical changes to the Fund. So, I congratulate you for all the good job you are doing. I want to assure that the Nigeria Police Force will partner with you.”
Earlier, while stating the purpose of the visit, Faleye noted the absence of compliance from the police in respect of the scheme, but expressed optimism that the intervention of the IGP will turn a new page in the partnership between NSITF and the police.
He commended the Force for the sacrifices it makes to secure the nation.
According to Faleye, “We are here to state our appreciation first and foremost as Nigerians for the efforts of the leadership of the police in securing the nation.
“Secondly, to engage with the leadership on the core mandate of NSITF and that is to see how to collaborate, extend the numerous benefits of our social insurance cover to the rank and file of the police in line with our mandate.
“As some of you may be aware, NSITF is mandated by law to implement the Employees Compensation Scheme under which it pays claims and compensations for injuries, diseases or death which may occur in the course of work. But these benefits can only be accessed by workers enrolled by their employers.
“Over the years, we have been in the forefront of providing various benefits which include disability benefits, death benefits, medical expenses refund, loss of productivity payment and rehabilitation of accident victims to fit into a new skill in situations where the employee cannot go back to his original employment.
“We also take care of the dependents of the deceased enrollee until the last child attains the age of 21 or graduates from the university, but this is on the condition that the beneficiary is totally dependent on the deceased.
“These benefits have significant effects on productivity because if the rank and file know that when injury or death arise from the course of work, their families and dependents will be compensated in accordance with the NSITF Act, gallantry will increase, confidence will be imbued, thus resulting in higher productivity.
“Beyond the financial benefits, there are health benefits aligned with our occupational safety and awareness activities, aimed at promoting health and safety in workplaces, thereby preventing accidents. This is actually the first step in the ECS process
“We feel that there is no institution better deserving of this social security cover than the Nigeria Police Force, hence we are elated by the assurance by the IGP that the police will come on board soon.”
In attendance were top management team of the police including the Deputy Inspector-General in charge of Finance and Administration, Bala Ciroma, Deputy Inspector-General in charge of Operations, Ede Ayuba, Deputy Inspector-General, Research and Planning, Yahaya Abubaka and Assistant Inspector-General, Rhoda Adetutu among others.
Similarly, the NSITF entourage besides the managing director, included the Executive Director, Finance& Investment, Mr Adegoke Adedeji, Executive Director, Administration, Professor Gabriel Okenwa and other senior management members of the fund.
