By Foday Moriba Conteh
The National Social Security Insurance Trust (NASSIT), widely recognized for its outstanding contributions to Sierra Leone’s social security landscape, hosted a media cocktail on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at the prestigious Freetown Conference Centre. This event brought together media practitioners, Government officials and other stakeholders to foster collaboration, celebrate achievements and outline future aspirations in enhancing social security services.
The evening was not just a celebration of NASSIT’s milestones but also a testament to its enduring commitment to working with the media as a vital partner in promoting transparency, accountability and awareness about its mandate.
Khalil Kallon, the Executive Secretary of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), chaired the event after delivering a welcome address. He expressed his gratitude to NASSIT for organizing a platform that emphasized the importance of collaboration between the institution and the media.
“As stakeholders in this democratic society, we share a common mission to serve the people of Sierra Leone. This gathering is a testament to the strength of our partnership,” Khalil Kallon remarked. He further acknowledged the pivotal role the Press plays in fostering transparency and ensuring a continuous flow of accurate information to the public.
Encouraging the attendees to engage in meaningful discussions, he concluded, “Let us deepen our collaboration, build on mutual trust and collectively contribute to creating a more informed citizenry, a more transparent society and a stronger Sierra Leone.”
NASSIT’s Director General, Fuad Daboh, delivered a dynamic speech that highlighted the institution’s progress and its commitment to providing workers and their families with security and support.
He reminded the audience that NASSIT was established by the National Social Security and Insurance Trust Act No. 5 of 2001 to administer a contributory pension scheme designed to provide retirement benefits and address the contingency needs of workers and their dependents.
Since his appointment, Fuad Daboh noted, he has prioritized the core reasons for NASSIT’s establishment, focusing on operational efficiency and benefits payments. Some of the key achievements he outlined under his leadership include:
– Growth in Membership: Insured membership has grown to 304,688 members, with a cumulative pension roll of 32,100 individuals as of October 2024.
– Timely Payments: Pensioners are now paid on or before the 25th of every month, ensuring financial stability and comfort for retirees and their families.
– ICT Modernization: NASSIT has undergone significant digital transformation, with a revamped ICT system and the launch of the NASHIP platform to enhance service delivery and communication.
– Expanded Services: The institution has opened a regional office in Port Loko and constructed a new district office in Moyamba to increase accessibility.
Additionally, Fuad Daboh highlighted the near completion of the SEWA Ground Market Development Project. This socially targeted investment initiative aims to support self-employed individuals and small-scale entrepreneurs, reducing street trading in key areas of Freetown.
The Director General also touched on NASSIT’s efforts to extend social security coverage to informal sector workers and the self-employed, an initiative that began in 2005. He acknowledged that initial attempts at voluntary participation yielded limited results due to the scheme’s lack of appeal to informal workers. However, with technical assistance from the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2020, significant strides have been made toward designing and operationalizing a more inclusive scheme.
A major highlight of the evening was Fuad Daboh’s call for compliance with the NASSIT Act No. 5 of 2001. He announced that moving forward; payments to media institutions would require the submission of NASSIT clearance certificates, NRA tax certificates and valid registration documents.
“Compliance with statutory obligations is not negotiable,” Fuad Daboh emphasized. He called on the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) to encourage its members to register their employees and ensure contributions are paid on their behalf.
The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalist, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, reaffirmed the media’s commitment to supporting NASSIT while stressing the importance of compliance among media owners.
“As media owners and employers, we are not above the law. We must lead by example by adhering to the regulations,” Sahid Nasralla stated. He pledged the media’s cooperation in holding NASSIT accountable while promoting its programs to the public responsibly.
SLAJ President also commended NASSIT for its collaborative approach, which has fostered trust and mutual respect. He highlighted the media’s role in ensuring that the public is well-informed about NASSIT’s operations and benefits, thereby enabling citizens to make informed decisions about their social security needs.
The Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, praised NASSIT for its exemplary relationship with the media, describing it as a model for other Government institutions.
“NASSIT understands the importance of engaging the media as partners in development. Their proactive approach sets a benchmark for transparency and effective communication,” Chernoh Bah stated. He also highlighted the importance of press freedom and commended the Government for repealing the criminal libel law, ensuring that journalists can operate without fear of repression.
Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Mohamed Rado Swarray, reiterated the need for media institutions to comply with the NASSIT Act.
He warned of punitive actions against employers who fail to register their employees and pay social security contributions, emphasizing the long-term benefits of ensuring social security for workers in the media sector.
The media cocktail ended on a high note, with attendees reflecting on the strong partnership between NASSIT and the media. The event served as a reminder of the shared responsibility to build a more inclusive and resilient social security system for Sierra Leone.
NASSIT’s leadership reaffirmed its dedication to transparency, accountability and excellence, urging all stakeholders to join hands in advancing the institution’s mandate and contributing to the nation’s development.
