By Chinedu Echianu
The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has paid N31.72 million in compensation to five beneficiaries of federal workers under the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS).
The cheques were presented on Tuesday in Abuja to families of workers who died or suffered injuries in the course of their official duties.
The payment is the first of its kind to federal civil servants from treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) under the scheme.
NSITF Managing Director, Oluwaseun Faleye, said the payment fulfilled the Fund’s legal obligation under the Employees’ Compensation Act, 2010.
The Act provides compensation for work-related injuries, occupational diseases, disability and death.
Faleye said the scheme, which had largely remained on paper for federal civil servants, became operational following the enrolment of federal workers and the establishment of an ECS Help Desk at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation earlier this year.
He assured beneficiaries that the Fund’s responsibility would not end with the payments, promising faster claims processing and stronger occupational health and safety measures.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, commended the NSITF for turning the government’s commitment to workers’ welfare into tangible support.
She stressed that the payments were lawful entitlements, not acts of charity.
Walson-Jack said the ECS provides financial compensation, medical care, counselling, rehabilitation and support for dependants of workers who die in service.
The beneficiaries and amounts paid were:
* Jae Grace Danture, Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation — N3.82 million
* Uzochukwu Aguomba, Ministry of Labour and Employment — N10.40 million
* Olofu Pius Agri, University of Abuja — N3.17 million
* Patience Oyekunle Nwankwo, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation — N2.45 million
* Audu Sanda Eyum, Pension Transition Arrangement Directorate — N11.88 million
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kamil Shoretire, also commended the NSITF.
He said the ECS would strengthen workers’ protection and safety while improving productivity.
