By Morlai Sesay
The National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) has, on Friday, the 12th of January 2024, commenced commemorating its 21st anniversary with a Thanksgiving Service at the Jamiul Salaam Mosque, Third Street, Mountain Court, Freetown.
Speaking about the motive behind the establishment of such a coveted government institution, the Director General of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), Mohamed Fuaad Daboh, wasted no time narrating that before 2001, the country used to have a pension arrangement that mainly covers the public sector that was largely not contributing and had so many challenges.
Daboh continued that Sierra Leoneans who have diligently served the nation used to receive ridiculous pensions upon retirement that he said had implications on the job market, adding that it is against such a backdrop that the Government under the leadership of His Excellency President Ahmed Tejan Kabba decided to establish the National Social Security and Insurance Trust to address the extended range of economic security in the country.
Mohamed Fuad Daboh stated that the National Social Security and Insurance Trust strongly believes in the core values of respect, accountability, transparency, and excellence since its inception in 2001, adding that as an institution, they are gratified to officially observe this year's anniversary celebration of the institution in the form of thanksgiving.
He pointed out that for all workers in the formal sector, as long as there is an employer-employee relationship, it is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that the employee is registered. Contributions are paid on his or her behalf, adding that employers must pay their employees’ contributions on or before the 15th of every month; otherwise, it will attract interest and penalties.
Director Daboh maintained that since its establishment, the institution had come a long way in realizing the dream of His Excellency the Late Dr. President Ahmed Tejan Kabba in ensuring dignity at retirement as well as supporting economic development by investing in the financial sector, hospitality, real estate in post-war Sierra Leone.
“21 years ago, the National Social Security and Insurance Trust was launched by His Excellency Late President Ahmed Tejan Kabba at the Lagoonda Entertainment Complex on Aberdeen in Freetown as a hope of every worker in the country after signing into law the National Social Security and Insurance Trust Acts of 2001,” he narrated.
In no small measure, the Director General commended the current and past leadership of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust for their tireless efforts in upholding the institution's values since its inception.
He said the National Social Security and Insurance Trust started effective operations in January 2002 with the authority conferring on it by the NASSIT Act No 5 of 2001. He further described the ceremony as a particular moment in reflecting on the successes and addressing the challenges of the scheme to ensure that it is kept on a sound footing for the benefit of all Sierra Leoneans.
In his Marathon speech, the somewhat calm and calculated Chef Imam, Alhaji Ahmad Owolabie Tejan, started off his speech by expressing his delights and profound appreciation to the management and staff of NASSIT for traveling to the East End of the capital to stage such a sumptuous event at their Masjid. That he said is a testament that the mercy of Allah is with them and that he and the entire membership of the Masjid are elated about the visit.
Commenting on what Islam says about trust, The Chief Imam, Ahmad Owolabie Tejan, disclosed that trust in Islam is a moral and religious virtue. He also prayed for divine direction for the current leadership of NASSIT and his staff.
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