NASSIT Marks Milestones and Boosts Media Ties at Annual Cocktail

By Benjamin S Conteh 

The National Social Security Insurance Trust (NASSIT) hosted a media cocktail on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at the prestigious Freetown Conference Centre. This gathering aimed to foster relationships between NASSIT and Sierra Leone’s media practitioners, celebrating the organization’s accomplishments and emphasizing future goals. The event was an opportunity for stakeholders to unite and reflect on NASSIT’s impact on Sierra Leone’s social security landscape.

In his welcoming address, the Executive Secretary of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), Mr. Kallon, applauded NASSIT’s efforts in creating a platform for collaboration. He noted the media’s essential role in promoting transparency and accountability, aligning with NASSIT’s mission to safeguard the welfare of Sierra Leone’s workers and their families. Mr. Kallon underscored the significance of dialogue between NASSIT and the press in building a more informed and resilient society.

Director General Fuad Daboh delivered a powerful speech on NASSIT’s strides in operational efficiency and benefits delivery. He expressed appreciation for the media’s role in supporting NASSIT’s mission and highlighted several achievements, including a growth in insured membership to over 304,000 members and a cumulative pension roll of 32,100 individuals. DG Daboh pointed out that pensioners receive payments by the 25th of each month, ensuring financial stability for retirees and their families.

Daboh elaborated on the impact of recent technological advancements within NASSIT, notably the implementation of the NASHIP platform, which enhances customer service through social media and other communication channels. As part of a larger ICT transformation, NASSIT’s upgraded digital infrastructure aims to improve service delivery and facilitate interactions with members. The Director General also mentioned the establishment of “Project 54Cost,” designed to verify data accuracy for members aged 54 to 59, ensuring a smooth transition into retirement.

To further its outreach, NASSIT has expanded into new regions, recently opening a regional office in Port Loko City and constructing a district office in Moyamba. Daboh emphasized that these efforts aim to increase public trust in NASSIT and make services more accessible. He also provided updates on the SEWA Ground Market Development Project, a NASSIT-led initiative nearing completion. This project will support informal sector entrepreneurs by providing a dedicated trading space, reducing congestion in central Freetown.

Despite its achievements, NASSIT faces challenges in expanding social security coverage to informal and self-employed workers. Daboh noted that NASSIT began exploring voluntary pension schemes for informal workers in 2005. However, low enrollment prompted NASSIT to partner with the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2020 to design a more suitable scheme. Through national consultations, the new scheme is now closer to operationalization, aiming to offer more accessible coverage options.

Daboh also addressed compliance issues within the media industry. He announced that NASSIT will require media organizations to provide clearance certificates, NRA tax certificates, and valid registration certificates to receive payments. He urged the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) to encourage its members to comply with the NASSIT Act, promoting regular contributions to support workers’ welfare.

SLAJ President Ahmed Sahid Nasrallah echoed Daboh’s call for compliance, emphasizing that media owners and employers must lead by example in following social security regulations. He expressed gratitude for NASSIT’s longstanding collaboration with the media and reaffirmed the media’s role in educating the public about NASSIT’s programs.

Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernor Bah, popularly known as “Ceebah,” praised NASSIT’s approach to media engagement, describing the institution as a model for transparency and public collaboration. He urged other government agencies to follow NASSIT’s example, promoting open and constructive relationships with the press. Minister Bah highlighted the recent repeal of the criminal libel law as a testament to Sierra Leone’s commitment to press freedom.

Minister of Labour, Employment, and Social Security, Mohamed Rado Swaray, emphasized the importance of compliance with the NASSIT Act No. 5 of 2001, which mandates employer registration and contributions to social security. He reminded media institutions of their responsibility to secure the social security rights of their employees, warning that non-compliance could lead to punitive actions. The Minister called on SLAJ and the IMC to champion social security protection for media employees, helping them lead dignified lives in retirement.

In his closing remarks, Minister Swaray urged the media to uphold the law and contribute to a brighter future for all Sierra Leonean workers. NASSIT’s annual media cocktail served as a testament to the institution’s commitment to enhancing social security while building enduring partnerships with the media and promoting the nation’s development.