The Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swarray, has called on the newly appointed Board Chairperson and management of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) to expedite the implementation of the Sierra Leone Informal Sector Pension Scheme, aimed at extending social security coverage to workers in the informal sector.
He made the call during the swearing-in ceremony of the new Chairperson and two Trustees on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at NASSIT House in Freetown.
Welcoming the new Chairperson, Minister Swarray expressed gratitude to His Excellency Julius Maada Bio for appointing “an elegant and highly seasoned administrator and financial expert” to supervise the Trust. He described her appointment as timely, given NASSIT’s ongoing review of its governing Act, efforts to expand social security coverage to the informal sector, and initiatives to improve service delivery and maximize investment performance.
Minister Swarray emphasised the critical role of the Board of Trustees in safeguarding the pension scheme, stating: “You are the guardians of our national pension scheme, with a fiduciary duty to protect members and their dependents in cases of old age, invalidity, and death.” He commended the Trustees, Director General, and Management for their dedication in ensuring that workers retire with dignity.
He also acknowledged transformational strides under the leadership of Director General Mohamed Fuaad Daboh, including the commissioning of a new district office in Moyamba, improved service delivery mechanisms, and a recent 10% increase in pensions across all categories.
Concluding his remarks, Minister Swarray urged the new Board to fast-track the expansion of coverage to the informal sector, which he described as the “silent engine” of the economy, comprising nearly 80% of the population, including traders, fishermen, artisans, and bike riders. He reiterated the President’s commitment to the scheme and called for strong collaboration between the Ministry and the Board to enhance workers’ welfare.
Director General Daboh congratulated the new Chairperson, Isata Marrah, noting that her appointment comes at a pivotal time as NASSIT continues its expansion and service delivery improvements. He highlighted the ongoing review of the NASSIT Act, ICT infrastructure upgrades, and progress on the Informal Sector Pension Scheme. He reaffirmed the Trust’s commitment to government priorities, including dignified retirement and social security coverage.
In her response, Chairperson Marrah expressed gratitude to the President, Minister, Trustees, and Director General for the warm reception. She praised the current Board and Management for the Trust’s stability and described social security as the bedrock of society. She pledged a collaborative approach, promising to work with all stakeholders to strengthen NASSIT’s mandate and expedite the extension of coverage to the informal sector, leveraging her experience to bring renewed energy to the Scheme.