By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The National Social Security Insurance Trust (NASSIT) held a vibrant media cocktail on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at the Freetown Conference Centre, aimed at enhancing collaboration with the nation’s media practitioners. This event highlighted NASSIT’s operational achievements while fostering dialogue about the future of social security in Sierra Leone.
The evening commenced with a welcoming address from Mr. Kallon, Executive Secretary of the Independent Media Commission (IMC). Mr. Kallon expressed gratitude to NASSIT for initiating this social engagement, which he deemed essential for promoting transparency and accountability in public institutions. He emphasized that the press plays a crucial role as a stakeholder in democracy and is vital in disseminating information to the public effectively.
Following Mr. Kallon’s address, NASSIT’s Director General, Fuad Daboh, delivered an insightful speech outlining the organization’s achievements. Daboh detailed how NASSIT has expanded its insured membership to over 304,688 individuals, and provided timely pension payments to 32,100 retired beneficiaries. He reiterated the need for strong media collaboration to increase public awareness regarding the benefits and services NASSIT offers.
Daboh also introduced key initiatives like NASHIP, a platform designed to facilitate effective communication with members through various channels, including social media. This transformation in their ICT system aims to enhance customer service and operational efficiency. He announced that NASSIT will focus on improving services and ensuring timely payments, particularly through the Project 54Cost, which targets members nearing retirement to ensure their records are up-to-date.
The event underscored the importance of compliance with the NASSIT Act No. 5 of 2001, which mandates that all employers register and contribute on behalf of their employees. In this context, Daboh called for adherence to statutory obligations from media organizations and indicated that payments to non-compliant institutions would be withheld.
The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasrallah, echoed these sentiments, stressing the need for media houses to set an example in fulfilling their legal responsibilities regarding NASSIT registration. He thanked NASSIT for their collaborative spirit and reiterated the media’s role in fostering informed public opinions about NASSIT’s operations.
Closing the event, Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, commended NASSIT for establishing a model relationship with the media. He encouraged other governmental institutions to mirror this proactive approach, emphasizing transparency and openness in dealings with the press.
The Minister of Labour, Mohamed Rado Swaray, also addressed attendees, reinforcing the necessity of registering employees with NASSIT and paying contributions. He warned that punitive measures would be enacted against those who fail to comply, urging media organizations to ensure the social security of their workers.
Overall, the media cocktail served as a pivotal platform for NASSIT and the media to strengthen their partnership, celebrate achievements, and discuss future opportunities for enhancing social security for all citizens in Sierra Leone.
