From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund, Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye, has called for strengthened collaboration with the Taraba State Government to enhance the implementation of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme.
Faleye made the call during a courtesy visit to Governor Agbu Kefas at the Government House in Jalingo, describing the engagement as a strategic move to build structured partnerships with state governments committed to workers’ welfare and institutional sustainability.
He noted that the Employees’ Compensation Scheme was beyond a statutory obligation, describing it as a critical social protection instrument that guarantees dignity for workers and stability for employers.
“When a worker is injured, disabled or loses his life in the course of duty, the response of government defines public trust and reinforces confidence in leadership,” Faleye said.
The NSITF boss commended the governor’s commitment to workers’ welfare and stressed the need to translate dialogue into measurable outcomes. He proposed steps to expand ECS compliance across state ministries, departments and agencies, intensify sensitisation of employers and contractors, and strengthen workplace safety awareness.
Faleye also suggested the designation of a focal ministry or official to coordinate engagement with the Fund, proposing the immediate establishment of a joint technical interface to develop a short implementation roadmap.
To institutionalise compliance, he recommended integrating the ECS Compliance Certificate into the state’s procurement and contracting processes, including contract bidding, pre-qualification, contractor registration and public-private partnership engagements. According to him, the measure would reinforce existing statutory requirements and ensure that companies benefiting from public funds protect their workers.
Faleye further confirmed Governor Kefas as Ambassador for the Advocacy of ECS in Taraba State and the North-East region.
Responding, Governor Kefas assured that the state would fully key into the scheme.
“Taraba State Government is ready to partner with NSITF to ensure you fulfil your mandate by enrolling all workers in the scheme. We will work through the Office of the Head of Service, Ministry of Finance and Ministry for Local Government,” he said.
The governor disclosed that the state recently paid N5bn to pensioners and expressed optimism that outstanding entitlements would be cleared before the end of the year.
“We will fulfil all obligations regarding the scheme in furtherance of our commitment to workers’ welfare,” he added, while accepting the role of ECS advocacy ambassador.
Governor Kefas subsequently constituted a high-powered committee to interface with the NSITF and ensure the state’s compliance with the Employees’ Compensation Scheme.
