In widening the scope of its social security services for insured workers, the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund ( NSITF), has added the informal segment of the private sector into its area of operations.
Within the last four months, the NSITF has paid a total of N306, 554, 896.23million as claims and compensations to different categories of insured workers in both the public and private sectors. This includes those who suffered from one occupational misfortune or the other or outright death.
Briefing journalists in Abuja Tuesday, the managing director of NSITF, Dr Micheal Akabogu, said the informal segment of the private sector is added to the operational spheres of the fund in providing the affected workforce , required insurance and by extension future assuredness in the case of any occupational hazards suffered
He cited a case of staff of Hydrodrive Nigeria Limited who was knocked down by a reckless driver and was completely paralyzed but not completely a liability to family and society due to insurance scheme being enjoyed from NSITF.
Telling the pathetic story, Akabogu said: “Worthy of mention is the peculiar case of a staff of Hydrodrive Nigeria Limited , who worked as a secretary.
“On the 4th of January 2019, while waiting at the Bus Stop on her way to work, a reckless bus driver knocked her down resulting to a fracture in her right hand, spinal cord and head injury.
“She was awarded 100% disability compensation and was treated at the Lagoon Hospital, Lagos. As at the last visit to her on 11th January, 2022, the arrears of disability benefits in the sum of N4, 994, 150.18 million was paid after she was placed on monthly disability benefits in the sum of N146, 886, 17.”
In the case of death, Akabogu also cited example of an insured worker with International Breweries Plc, who died while in service and whose spouse is collecting N1.3million monthly compensation until the last son of the deceased clocks 21years in 18 years time.
