By Jane B. Mansaray.
Twenty Years of existence of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) was on Friday 1st April 2022 commemorated at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown.
Delivering his keynote address at the launching ceremony of the 20th Anniversary celebration of NASSIT, the Minister of Labour and Social Security Mr. Alpha Osman Timbo said the marking of NASSIT’s 20 years of existence started effective operation on 1st January 2002 with the authorities conferred on it as provided for in the NASSIT Act No. 5 of 2001.
As principal poineerer of the establishment of the scheme, Minister Timbo said this is a special moment for NASSIT pensioners, but more especially for all working retired Sierra Leoneans; and a period of celebration in the life of the Trust.
A period also of reflection, stock taking and a surgical assessment of the administration of the scheme, focuses on it success and challenges facing the scheme to ensure it is better managed.
The Minister acknowledged all active contributors and pensioners of NASSIT who are celebrating this particular milestone with the management and Staff.
He also recognised all those dedicated Sierra Leoneans and expatriate staff members who actively participated in the establishment of the scheme.
Mr. Alpha Osman Timbo thanked former President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah for his vision to establish the Trust, which
pronouncement and introduction of the social security scheme of social safety net for the old and needy was done at the State opening of the First Parliament of the 2nd Republic of Sierra Leone.
He cited article 28 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1944 Feladelfair declaration at an International conference with the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Income Security of the ILO recommendations of 1944, number 67 and the International Convenant on Economic, Social and cultural Rights of 1968 which all brought about the formation of the social security scheme of social safety net.
It was against this back drop, the keynote speaker said, an Interim Establishment Committee was set up, headed by former President Ernest Bai Koroma as Chairman.
After several consultations, the committee at the end came out with recommendations among which, is that the scheme must establish a contribution fund were employers as well as employees must contribute.
The presentation of the recommendations report formulatedcthe Legislation frame work which NASSIT is currently using.
He then recognised the late Sewa Bockarie Marah as leader of government business by then and the late Attorney General Solomon Ekuma Berewa for being part of the process in passing the legislation itself.
The NASSIT involved registration from the Government of Sierra Leone to develop a social security scheme that will provide a minimum guarantee coverage for workers and all members of their families. Twenty Years of NASSIT, according to Minister Timbo has improved the lives of hundreds and thousands of Sierra Leoneans, and is now an integral component for the Country Social protection system.
“NASSIT is managed by a team of dedicated Sierra Leoneans, with battles fought, and won that has been made over the years”, Minister Alpha Osman Timbo highlighted.
“Our insecurity and fear has been transformed into hope after retirement”, He assured.
The New Direction Government of President Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio is committed to social protection of every Sierra Leonean, but for any of these successes to be achieved our collective participation, corporation are required and only this way we can achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) in the Year 2030.
Director General of NASSIT Mr. Faud Daboh said the 20th Anniversary of the Trust is not only celebrating the fact but also lay ambitious for the feature with the fact record and track of NASSIT.
This he said is of highly level of awareness of workers and pensioners as pension continue to grow.
He implored all to support NASSIT, and thanked management and Staff for the amazing years of work that has benefited this country.
Mr. Fuad Daboh appreciated all those that made the scheme a reality for their efforts to address issues of unemployment in Sierra Leone.
Before 2001, Daboh said Sierra Leone used to have a better arrangement that mainly covers the public sector.
This, according to Faud Daboh was largely uncontributing and a bit challenging in terms of this administration.
Sierra Leonean who have deligently served this nation were receiving rediculous pension of retirement.
This he said have implecation on the job market were by people are reluctant to leave job even when they attain the national retirement age, for fear of loosing their livelyhood in retirement.
It is against this back drop late President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah Government decided along side with the current Minister of Labour Mr. Alpha Osman Timbo and team established NASSIT to address long range problem of the current security through a contributing system were by workers themselves can contribute to their own feature retirement benefit by making regular payment during their active years.
Twenty Years ago, NASSIT was launched by Former President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah at the Lagoon Entertainment Complex, Aberdeen in Freetown, after singing of the Act into Law.
NASSIT is a Statutory public Trust charge with the responsibility of administer Sierra Leone pension scheme.
Mr. Faud Daboh continue that it provide attractive retirement benefit to meet the pressing need of workers and dependant.
“NASSIT has come a long way in realizing former President Kabbah’s dream in assured dignity at retirement, as well as supporting economic development and investing in the financial sector at post war Sierra Leone”, Faud Daboh stated.
“Excellence, team work and accountability are the greatest assets that keep us growing, and we are prepared to enter the next face as the best is yet to come; and there is still much to accomplish”, Mr. Faud Daboh confessed.
The celebration will continue with a lot of activities across the country including a members conference, under the theme “Invisible NASSIT, Improving Sufficiency, through digitalization for national development”, and with a slogan “NASSIT for Every Body”. infrastructures in almost every district in Sierra Leone. He is happily married and blessed with three children.
