By: Mohamed M. Sesay
Celebrating 20 Years in existence, the Director General of National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) Mohamed Fuaad Daboh and team, on Friday the 13th of January 2023, joined Muslims at the Mende Central Mosque for a Juma Prayer in the form of thanksgiving for NASSIT 20th Anniversary.
NASSIT also replicated the same thanksgiving service at the Balmer Methodist Memorial Church on Sunday the 15th of January 2023.
The Director General of the National Social security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) Mohamed Fuaad Dabor, reminded the congregation that the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) was established through an Act of Parliament and is charged with the responsibility of administering the Sierra Leone Pension Scheme. He further disclosed that NASSIT started full operations in January 2002 as a defined benefits pay-as-you-go pension system.
Mohamed Fuaad Daboh reminded all and sundry that NASSIT Membership is compulsory for all workers in the public and private sectors. He however noted that the scheme is optional for self-employed persons and workers in the informal sector. He, therefore, sent a strongly worded warning that it is incumbent on all employers to ensure that their workers are registered and contributions paid on their behalf not later than the 15th day after the month for which contributions are due. He also referenced that the aforementioned condition is clearly stipulated in Section 31 of the NASSIT Act No. 5 of 2001, which is the governing legislation for the scheme.
The NASSIT Director General pointed out that over the past years, the trust has been making significant strive by making sure that they perform their functions well by making sure that people cooperate by paying NASSIT for their workers.
Sheik Mohamed A. Dumbuya who is one of the Imams at the Mende Central Mosque commended NASSIT for the significant role they are playing in society and for coming this far. He pointed out that NASSIT is playing an important role in the country by providing retirement benefits to retired workers. He acknowledged that after retirement some find it difficult to survive but the little benefit from NASSIT, would help cushion the effect in addressing their daily affairs.
“Your boss is someone you should always respect it doesn’t matter if your qualifications are higher than theirs for the fact that he or she is your boss you should always try by all means possible not to disrespect them. If you fail to give them the respect they deserve no matter what you do you will never become successful. And even when you become a boss one day people will disrespect you because leaders are always selected by God Almighty”, he advised.
Sheik Mohamed concluded by asking God Almighty to forgive all workers of NASSIT he said there is no perfection in humanity everyone makes mistakes he also asked Almighty Allah to give them the knowledge they’re required for them to be able to do their work effectively.
In his sermon at the Balmer Methodist Memorial Church, Rev. Ken Lusenie commended the consistent moves taken by NASSIT every year to stage a thanksgiving service. “For you, the People of NASSIT to lay for yourself treasures in heaven is a call for you to assess your relationship”, he said.
He expressed that the fear of God is very evident in the leadership of NASSIT as the leadership of NASSIT are all religious people. He encouraged NASSIT to continue with this trajectory of praise and worship for their achievements and challenges incurred over the years. He acknowledged that NASSIT has a mission which is to administer social security scheme that provides financial security to all employees in Sierra Leone. He, therefore, concluded by encouraging the people of Sierra Leone to pay their NASSIT contribution as part of their social responsibility which will in return, would provide financial security for them when they would have retired.
