The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has summoned the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, over his failure to inaugurate the board of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund.
In a petition addressed to the Chairman of the Committee, a non-governmental organisation, the Obasi-Pherson Help Foundation, stated that President Bola Tinubu had appointed the Managing Director for the Fund but had yet to name and inaugurate the board several months later.
“This is a serious anomaly, as the absence of the board has created room for a wide range of illegalities in the administration of the agency,” the organisation said.
Responding to the petition on Tuesday, the Chairman of the Committee, Mike Etaba, directed the Minister to appear in person to address the concerns raised.
“The government is being indicted, so it is only logical that the Minister clarifies the matter,” a statement issued by the Committee’s Head of Media, Chooks Oko, quoted Etaba as saying.
The committee has also invited the NSITF Managing Director, Faleye Mayomi, to respond to a separate petition alleging violations of the agency’s project clearance regulations.
“The petitioners, Advancement of Social Justice and Economic Development Initiative, want the agency to explain certain actions which they claim contradict its mandate.
“Ours is to serve Nigerians efficiently and ensure the right thing is done at all times. Inviting the CEO is an opportunity for him to clarify the issues at hand,” Etaba stated.