Fraud: NSITF overhauls procurement operation

The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has overhauled its procurement operation to curb fraud and end mismanagement of funds.

The Managing Director of NSITF, Adebayo Somefun, who disclosed this in Abuja, said the total overhauled was done through competitive bidding and advertisement in Newspapers for procurement in order to ensure transparency and accountability.

Besides, Somefun said the NSITF is now collaborating with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to stem corruption and enthrone the culture of transparency in its processes.

The NSITF Managing Director of NSITF was speaking while receiving members of the Civil Society Coalition for Transparency.

“There were some level of fraud that was committed in the NSITF before we came on board, which was why we decided to work closely with the EFCC, ICPC, and BPP. We want to build a culture of integrity of operations for NSITF towards the prevention of any fraudulent acts during our tenure and beyond.”

He pointed out that the NSITF management under him has not been commenting on the issue because the issue relating to the fraud is still in court while the supervising ministry has constituted an Arbitration Panel of Enquiry on it.

“There are actions going on in the court on the matter and the anti-graft agencies are also on the case. None of these actions have been concluded, no report has been submitted and the minister has also set up an administrative panel, while auditors came here. The management is yet to receive the report of the administrative panel. All we know about the panel is what all Nigerians have been reading in the news mediums.” Somefun said.

Also, he pointed out that the NSITF has rehabilitated 42 workers that lost part of their body in the course of work in the last one year.

He explained that apart from providing artificial limbs and legs for them, they are equally paid sustenance allowances in addition to their salaries to ensure they meet their responsibilities.

• 2019: Changing face of Oyo governorship race

To further boost enforcement of Employees Compensation Scheme (ECS), he revealed that the Attorney General of the Federation has approved the recruitment of 22 law officers.

Somefun explained further that the Electronic Revenue Collection, Claims and Compliance (ERC3) system, which will begin tomorrow (1 August 2018), was introduced to galvanise investment, compliance and compensation activities as well as overall operation of the Fund.

He hinted that efforts are currently intensified to ensure data integrity of the system.

On her part, the Executive Director Operation of NSITF, Kemi Nelson, commended the Enforcement Department for improving on the revenue generation capacity of the organisation.

She stated that the Fund has established a special account that is fully dedicated to the payment of claims and compensation.

In his remarks, the President of Civil Society Coalition for Transparency, Mike Femi commended the management for introducing innovations that have repositioned the Fund for greater efficiency.

“We came here because we wanted to know more about the operations of the NSITF and we have been given some information. We were surprised by the swift nature our letter was responded to. That shows a high level of efficiency. We will work with you to enthrone transparency and fight against corruption as agents of change.”