The management of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) has refuted allegation of corruption leveled against it by some faceless staff and called on anti – graft agencies to investigate the Fund for proof of transparency.
In a strong worded statement signed by the General Manager / Head Corporate Affairs of the Social Insurance outfit, Ijeoma Oji-Okoronkwo, in Abuja, Monday, it declared that transparency and accountability have been guiding principles of the agency since 2021 under its Managing Director Dr Micheal Akabogu.
The statement reads in part, “Our attention is drawn to the purported call by some staff of the Fund allegedly requesting an immediate probe of the agency by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) as well as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“This call is based on a breakdown of the ICPC info graph showing that 52 agencies which includes NSITF, National Broadcasting Commission, Federal Civil Service Commission, Court of Appeal, National Hospital and several other Government agencies, were identified as non-responsive implying that these agencies did not respond to enquiries on them.
“The allegation of corruption against the Fund which was taken out of context to suit a negative purpose is therefore unfounded and an attempt to distract the management from its commitments to carrying out its mandates.
“Although NSITF in the past has had to deal with several negative press attributed to the past Board and some members of management of the Fund, the new Board( put up 2019) and the new management under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the supervision of the Minster for Labour and Employment Senator Dr Chris Nwabueze Ngige have been piloting the affairs of the Fund in line with all relevant Laws,regulations and guidelines.
“This is predicated on the fact that the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund under the current leadership runs an open door policy and has not defaulted in the Fund’s mandate and the presidential directives on transparency and accountability.
“We reiterate that the alleged complaints by “Anonymous staff”are more imaginary than real.They are the work of a few who are disgruntled that due process is now here and believe that continuos turmoil and confusion in the organisation will one way or the other would benefit them.
“We therefore put it on record that our records are available The ICPC which has the mandated of carrying out system reviews for MDAs is invited to do a thorough and fair system study of the Fund to enable the Fund identify gaps, build more robust internal controls and systems to prevent and detect instances of corruption and report same.
“In the meantime, we would like to reassure the public that the NSITF remains fully committed to its mandate of providing social security to all Nigerian workers.. The Fund will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that our operations are conducted with the highest level of integrity and transparency.”
