The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) have agreed to establish a joint committee aimed at resolving the backlog of contributions owed to the Fund by the Service. This agreement was reached during an advocacy visit by NSITF Managing Director Oluwaseun Faleye to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on Tuesday in Abuja.
In attendance were the top command of the Customs Service alongside the executive and management of the NSITF. During the meeting, the Customs boss underscored the importance of the NSITF as a pivotal intervention agency that President Bola Tinubu intends to leverage in delivering his Renewed Hope Agenda to Nigerians.
A statement from Nwachukwu Godson, General Manager of Corporate Affairs at NSITF, quoted the Customs DG emphasizing the significance of social investment programs, such as the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) of the NSITF, in enhancing the welfare of Nigerians. He stated, “The more effective and impactful the NSITF is, the more it can contribute to the welfare of the generality of Nigerians.”
Highlighting the commitment to officer welfare within the Customs Service, he noted, “Welfare is very important for us in the Customs. We do not pay lip service to it. We have a full-fledged unit that attends to the welfare of officers and men, and that is why we make an effort to participate in the contributory fund like the ECS.”
The Comptroller General expressed hopes for improved cooperation between the NSITF and the Nigerian Customs Service, aiming for enhanced welfare services for officers and promoting workplace safety. He also welcomed the idea of forming a technical team from both agencies to address the issues raised and review the contribution records from the past 11-13 years.
He stressed the importance of reconciliation to determine the payment schedule if liabilities are identified. He further acknowledged the NSITF’s role in accident prevention and invited their officers to conduct inspections and assessments to enhance workplace safety for both officers and visitors engaging with the Customs Service.