By Francis Kamara
The National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), has on Thursday 13th October 2022, held a two days National Members Delegate Conference to celebrate the life long existence of the noble institution and to shed-light on their successes over the years and the new challenge in enhancing the digital Eco-space. This auspicious event took place at the Freetown International Conference Center, Aberdeen.
In attendance was the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, the Director General of NASSIT, Mohamed Fouad Daboh, Minister of Labor and Social Security, Alpha Timbo, foreign dignitaries from different Sub-Sahara African countries, past and present members of NASSIT, and delegates from other top institutions across the country.
The theme of the event “Improving Efficiency Through Digitalization for National Development”, is one of the core principles of NASSIT as they move forward towards a positive trajectory.
Giving the keynote address, the Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, on behalf of the government of Sierra Leone, acknowledged and congratulated the good works of NASSIT for keeping the vision of late President Ahmed Tejan kabba, alive for over 20years.
He added that despite the world is dangling through difficulty challenges, ranging from COVID-19 to the Russia-Ukraine war, in which Sierra Leone is not immune to – but through hard-work and determination they have established strategic planning that has been very helpful in salvaging the situation.
The Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, underscored that It’s a indeed a time for celebrations, as the NASSIT scheme was a positive and national vision of the late president Ahmed Tejan Kabba, who believed that there’s a need to set up income security scheme for hardworking Sierra Leoneans.
He went on to say that over the years, the trust has provided many Sierra Leoneans with great opportunities through the retirement benefits – and as a government, they have a committed ministry that have kept the vision alive and to are well determined to expand the Institution
He further stated that there are challenges to keeping the vision and dream alive – but they are working very hard to beat those challenge and transform the institution and foster development in the country.
He affirmed that he is pleased to note that NASSIT along with the judiciary of Sierra Leone, have established the Social security court to expedite payments of non-complying institutions and individuals.
He Urged stakeholders to speed up the review of the NASSIT Act as it will enable new investment plans for the nation, and that those plans should include people in the informal sector, especially women and people with disability.
Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, further acknowledged that housing poverty and low social standard of many Sierra Leoneans have been a huge challenge to the development of the nation. He further explained that they are on the verge to develop a new administrative city in Lungi, as that part of the government’s plans for building housing facilities outside of Freetown would be a good investment for NASSIT to come on board as partners, as that will help tackle massive migration and overcrowding in the city – because access to decent housing is key to infrastructural development and a boost in the livelihood of the people.
He further emphasized that NASSIT should also try to invest in the healthcare sector and should partner with private institutions to see how best they can improve on the healthcare system in Sierra Leone.
According to the Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, government has spent thousands of dollars to send people out of the country for medical support – “despite we have the professional doctors and we’ll trained medical practitioners, we don’t have the equipment and medical facilities that are necessary to help boost the health sector in Sierra Leone”, he said. He emphasized that NASSIT should invest in health care facilities and outsource those facilities and equipment to private institutions for them to run and manage for effective sustainability.
He asserted that NASSIT should review investment portfolios and bring onboard private institution to manage investments, as well as to give opportunities to Sierra Leoneans to buy investments and help expand the businesses and the goal of Institution.
He concluded that the socioeconomic and investment transformation that NASSIT has undertaken, is making Sierra Leone an investment driven country and has created the chance for people to come and invest in Sierra Leone. “With NASSIT around, it gives people the opportunity to become big local investors and they are reviewing the investment portfolio to see that the investment sector in Sierra Leone transcends into an upward positive trajectory”, he said.
He thanked NASSIT for keeping the dream and vision of late President Ahmed Tejan Kabba alive, despite the challenges that have had to face along the way. He acknowledged the good works of NASSIT and challenged them to look into the future and tap into resources – as well as urged them to make investments that will keep the trust alive and sustain generations yet to come.
The Director General of NASSIT Mohamed Fouad Daboh, in his statement acknowledged that NASSIT is indeed the heart and soul of the people – because they definitely care and they strive each day to improve on their services to better serve Sierra Leoneans.
He went on to say that since 2002, NASSIT has come a long way to administering pensions to pensioners and has assured social and economic justice, as well as an investment in local growth portfolios.
He stated that the NASSIT Act makes this scheme compulsory for all workers in the informal sector and those who are self-employed to indulge in the payment of their NASSIT funds so that they can have a beautiful life after retirement.
The DG Mohamed Fouad Daboh, affirmed that out of the 11 NASSIT office locations across the country, only three are rented office spaces – and they are on the verge of completing an office structure in Moyamba.
He emphasized that NASSIT has a strong commitment to enhance service delivery, and their staff efficiency has improved, and to make the lives of pensioners much better, NASSIT has increased the pensions of pensioners from NLE 26 Leones to NLE 250 Leones.
The Minister of Labour and Social Security Alpha Timbo, in his statement affirmed that NASSIT was formally launched on 1st may 2002, by the late President Ahmed Tejan kabba.
He acknowledged that the launch of the NASSIT trust was not accidental, but a deliberate one to ensure that all workers are cared for after retirement. He went on to say that the 1st of May, normally refers to as “Workers Day”, was a day that late president Ahmed Tejan kabba, established the scheme for workers to take care of their livelihood, families and the dependents, therefore it is a period of celebration and fulfillment.
He highlighted that the early days of the trust was faced with misconceptions and skepticism from the public – however they embarked on robust public education and sensitization to enlighten the public on the importance of the NASSIT trust.
He concluded that we live in a digital world, and the theme of the event speaks on the new trajectory of NASSIT – and it is a reflection of the achievements of NASSIT through the digital Eco-space.
“celebration is not only about enjoying the successes of NASSIT, but it’s also a day meant to bring together stakeholders and established views and experience with similar institutions” he said.
The Chairperson for the event Mr. Kobi Walker, acknowledged that the NASSIT scheme is one that’s purposely meant to serve Sierra Leonean workers.
He added that stem science and digital technology have one in common which is to breach the digital divide and improve on the livelihoods of people.
He went on to say that NASSIT is appreciating the technological world in the management of trust affairs, as they uses a digital system to keep records of all transactions – and they have employed a sophisticated system to oversee compliance.
He asserted that NASSIT is the first institution in Sierra Leone to have a system and technology division, with an automated and computer assisted system that will help in running the affairs of the institution.
He concluded that under the leadership of president Julius Maada Bio, the DSTI launched in 2018, and started its journey to transform Sierra Leone into a digital advanced strategic nation, and NASSIT has adopted digitalization, and it’s a system that all institutions in Sierra Leone need to implement.
The event climaxed with the sharing of plaques and certificates to the Director General of NASSIT Mohamed Fouad Daboh, past and present workers and pioneers behind the NASSIT scheme – in recognition to their untiring service to the institution and the nation as a whole.
