By Chinelo Okeke
A team of officers from the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) Awka branch has paid a courtesy visit to the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Anambra State, Professor Sylvia Chika Ifemeje at her Office in the Ministry of Justice Awka.
The visit aimed at introducing the Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS) to the Attorney General and discuss its importance to be implemented for all civil servants, in the state noting the supporting Act caller Employee’s Compensation Act ECA that supports the Scheme.
Speaking on behalf of the NSITF team, Head of the legal Unit, Barrister Emeka Onunkwo emphasized that the Scheme offers a comprehensive scale of Compensation and benefits that are remarkably affordable and beneficial to all civil servants in the state.
He reiterated that the Scheme is backed up by a statute of general application ECA and serves as a vital Social Security measure.
Barrister Onunkwo noted that the Scheme was established in 2010 but became effective in July 2011, with it’s headquarter located in Abuja and further emphasized that the Scheme is work oriented, designed Specifically for Government employees, ensuring that all employees, regardless of their level or position are entitled to benefit from the Scheme.
Barr Onunkwo further emphasized that the Scheme prioritized the welfare of Employees providing extensive benefits.These includes provision of prostatic limbs for injured employees, coverage of hospital bills for work related injuries, illnesses or even death and the period of coverage is between the hour of 6am to 6pm within working days. The Scheme cares for children of employees who pass away in active service and has one child. The scheme will train the child till 21years of age.
Regarding Employees Expectations, he said that Employees are expected to be dedicated and committed to their work. maintaining that participation in the Scheme does not require any financial contribution from employees but rather the Governor who is Employer of all the civil servants in the state makes a one percent contribution for all the civil servants in the state monthly and that is why it is called Employees Compensation Scheme.
In Response, The Attorney General, Prof. Ifemeje warmly welcomed the NSITF team, expressing appreciation for their visit. She promised to collaborate with the Head of Service, Lady Okwy Igwegbe to draft a joint memo to the governor, advocating for the Scheme’s implementation and lending her support.
- Okeke is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
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