By Cross Udo, Abuja
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has assured that policemen and officers will be enrolled in the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS), providing additional social benefits to the Force.
The IGP gave the assurance when the Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mr Oluwaseun Faleye, led the Fund’s executive and senior management on an advocacy visit to the force headquarters in Abuja.
Egbotokun commended the new Managing Director for the “radical changes” he has brought to the NSITF since his assumption of duties.
He said the Force will actively partner with the NSITF to ensure compliance with the ECS among public and private sector employers.
A statement issued by Nwachukwu Godson, the General Manager of Corporate Affairs of the Fund, quoted the Police boss as saying, “I listened to you and want to assure you that I have taken note of everything you said and all the issues you raised.
“From now on, we will work together to ensure the Nigeria Police Force becomes active partners with the NSITF. We are going to contribute to the Scheme. We will do everything possible. Whatever is stopping the NPF from contributing to the NSITF, we have to look into it and ensure that it works this time.
“Then, concerning your enforcement drive, please count on us; we will support you all the way. I have been monitoring your activities since you came in as the MD of the NSITF, and I know that you have brought radical changes to the Fund. So, I congratulate you on all your good work at the NSITF. I assure you that the Nigeria Police Force will partner with you.”
Earlier, while stating the purpose of the visit, the Managing Director of the NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye, noted the Police’s lack of compliance with the Employees’ Compensation Scheme but expressed optimism that the intervention of the Inspector General will turn a new page in partnership between the NSITF and the Police. He further commends the Force for the sacrifices it takes 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 Nigerian Police Force in securing the nation.
“Secondly is to engage with the leadership of the Nigerian Police Force on the core mandate of the 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, the NSITF is mandated by law to implement the Employees’ Compensation Scheme, under which it pays claims and compensations for injuries, diseases, or death that may occur during work. However, these benefits can only be accessed by workers enrolled by their employers.
“Over the years, we have been at the forefront of providing these 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 can’t go back to his original employment.
“We also take care of the dependents of the deceased enrolee until the last child attains the age of 21 or graduates from the university, but this is on the condition that the beneficiary is dependent on the deceased.
“These benefits have significant effects on productivity because if the rank and file know that when injury or death arises from the course of work, their families and dependents will be compensated by the NSITF Act, gallantry will increase, confidence will be imbued, thus resulting in higher productivity.”
The top management team of the Police, including the Deputy Inspector General in charge of Finance and Administration, Bala Ciroma, the Deputy Inspector General in charge of Operations, Ede Ayuba, the Deputy Inspector General of Research and Planning, Yahaya Abubakar, and the Assistant Inspector General, Rhoda Adetutu, were also in attendance.
Similarly, the NSITF entourage, besides the Managing Director, included the Executive Director of Finance and Investment, Mr Adegoke Adedeji, the Executive Director of Administration, Prof Gabriel Okenwa, and other senior management members of the Fund.
