Oluwaseun Faleye, the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund's managing director and chief executive officer, has advocated for increased institutional cooperation between the Fund and the Taraba State Government. The goal of this partnership is to improve the Employees' Compensation Scheme's execution.

Faleye made the call yesterday while paying Governor Agbu Kefas a courtesy call at the Government House in Jalingo.

He explained that the involvement was a part of a purposeful plan to establish formal alliances with state governments that are dedicated to the wellbeing of their employees and the long-term viability of their institutions.

He highlighted that the Employees' Compensation Scheme is an essential social safety net that ensures stability for employers and dignity for workers, not just a legal need.

Faleye stated, "The government's response defines public trust and reinforces confidence in leadership when a worker is injured, disabled, or dies while performing his duties." He pointed out that the governor's welfare-driven program is in line with increasing ECS coverage.

The head of NSITF emphasised the necessity of going beyond discussion to quantifiable results.

He suggested doable actions to increase state ministries, departments, and agencies' (MDAs') adherence to ECS. Additionally, he recommended raising awareness of workplace safety and compensation throughout the state and increasing sensitisation of Taraba's key businesses and contractors.

Faleye recommended designating a focal ministry or official to oversee interactions with the NSITF in order to guarantee accountability and structure.

If Your Excellency is satisfied, we may immediately establish a collaborative technical interface between our team and your selected team in order to create a brief implementation roadmap in the next weeks. To monitor deadlines and deliverables resulting from such engagements, the Fund has already set up an internal Strategic Inter-Agency Coordination framework, he stated.

He emphasised the advantages of expanded ECS coverage for both parties. These include safeguarding employees, lowering the risk of legal action against employers, encouraging workplace harmony, and strengthening organised social protection.

In a move aimed at institutionalising compliance, Faleye recommended integrating the ECS Compliance Certificate into the state’s public procurement and contracting processes.

He explained that requiring evidence of NSITF compliance for contract bidding, pre-qualification for state projects, contractor registration and renewal, and public-private partnership engagements would reinforce existing statutory requirements.

According to him, the approach would ensure that companies benefiting from public funds are compliant in protecting their workers.

Faleye also confirmed Governor Kefas as Ambassador for the Advocacy of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme in Taraba State and the North-East region.

Kefas assured that the state would key into the ECS for the benefit of workers.

“Taraba State Government is ready to partner with NSITF to ensure you fulfil your mandate by ensuring all workers are enrolled in the scheme. We will work through the Office of the Head of Service, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry for Local Government,” he said.

The governor mentioned that N5 billion had just been paid to pensioners by the state. He was hopeful that unpaid pension obligations would be settled before the year was out.

He continued, "We will fulfil all obligations regarding the scheme in furtherance of our commitment to workers' welfare."

Following his confirmation as the ECS advocacy ambassador, Kefas stated that he was open to taking on any task that would forward the mission in the best interests of the nation and its workforce.

A powerful committee was then established by the governor to communicate with the NSITF. Taraba State's complete adherence to the Employees' Compensation Scheme shall be guaranteed by this body.