INITIATIVE FOR LEADERSHIP AND ECONOMIC WATCH IN NIGERIA
Submit inputs in the:
Senate committee on establishment and public service,
National Assembly,
By
Amb. Splendour Aironmwanbor Agbonkpolor
Dated, 22nd March, 2022
NATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY COMMISSION BILL
A BILL FOR AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE NATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY COMMISSION (NASSCOM) FOR THE REGULATION, MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS AND SERVICES, AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS, 2022
First of foremost, let me sincerely appreciate the originator of this all important bill, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Distinguished Senator, representing Delta Central District in the current 9th National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Well thought bill, with a humanitarian face, though it’s long overdue and most timely; and I believe Nigerians have been yearning for this highly spirited bill, which opens opportunities to the vulnerable, to have access to good governance system, with sense of hope to the less privileged in our society.
Having thoroughly look through the bill, we understood that, the bill tends to bridge the gap, remove the inequality, balance the society rightly, and reduce crime amongst youth populace, to bring about national cohesion, development and for total security of lives and properties of citizens of Nigeria.
In agreement with the proposed bill, Initiative for Leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria, humbly tender her in-depth inputs to the bill in a view to ensuring its sustainability and to stand the test of time.
Our Inputs in the establishment of National Social Security commission is as follows;
- In implementing the proposed National Social Security Commission with respect to regulation, management and administration of social security protection services at the national and subnational level;; the government, the private sector and non-government Organization’s corporation is key to successfully implement or achieve the purpose for which the commission is set-up, and to meet desired expectations or outcome.
- The bill needs to be simplify to give proper clarity on how the commission will function, for avoidance of repetition of duties or responsibilities when the commission comes to fusion, for efficient, transparent and sustainability of proposed National Social Security Commission.
PART II: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE NATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY COMMISSION, POWERS, FUNCTIONS;
Nature and Powers of the Commission
The commission shall have the power to liaise with the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Social Security Association (ISSA), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and other relevant international bodies on the implementation of global best practice on social security management and administration in the Federation.
OUR INPUT
We consider it not proper to mention the names of international organizations the commission will liaise with when she starts, for the names to be part of the bill; it should rather be quoted, that the commission shall liaise with international organizations that have direct relations with the commission’s mandate and operations.
FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMISSION
It is imperative that the committee properly categorize the levels of vulnerability and groups which falls within the bracket of citizens that should be given social security services; if is left open ended, the number of requests for social security services when the commission starts, may outweigh government provisions, with respect to resources, to match the attendant demands from those that are truly in need. The vulnerable in our society, which are in tens of millions by current statistics.
Under the Function of the Commission
(6) The commission shall conduct monitoring and evaluation programmes on the impact of social security programmes and services for the improvident, vulnerable and victims of protection risks;
OUR INPUT
In conducting monitoring and evaluation of the impact of the social Security programmes and services, it will be more effective if Civil Society is part of the above process, for transparency of report of the outcome of the monitoring and evaluation exercise of the scheme, if not, won’t be considered holistic.
The word ‘’improvident’’ should be expunge from the bill, because wrong use of word; improvident simply means to be wasteful, reckless, careless, extravagant, negligent and irresponsible; it will be wrong and directionless to give social security the categories of people mentioned above. Improvident mentioned in the bill is wrong and should be removed forthwith.
PART III: ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BOARD OF THE COMMISSION, FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND MEMBERSHIP, ETC
Membership of the Board, Nature of Membership and Appointment
(4) 1 (one) ex-officio member, each representing the –
(i) Federal Ministry in charge of Justice;
(ii) Federal Ministry in charge of Finance;
(iii) Federal Ministry in charge of Health;
(iv) Federal Ministry in charge of Education;
(v) Federal Ministry in charge of Internal Affairs;
(vi) Federal Ministry in charge of Labour, Employment and or
Productivity;
(vii) Federal Ministry in charge of Sports and or Youth Development;
(viii) Federal Ministry in charge of Women and or Humanitarian Affairs;
(ix) Nigerian Bureau of Statistics;
(x) Central Bank of Nigeria;
(xi) Nigerian Employees Consultative Association; and
(xii) the Nigeria Labour Congress.
OUR INPUT
Ex-officio members of the proposed commission; it is most imperative to include civil society as member of the board for the purpose of transparency, and for all inclusive participation, for the commission to earn public confidence, for it not to be seen as business as usual.
Tenure of Office of Members of the Board
The members of the Board shall hold office for a term of 5 years and shall be eligible for re-appointment by the President for one further term of 5 years, and no more
OUR INPUT
On the number of years for tenure of appointed officials of the proposed commission, the Director General and members of the Board; we suggest that it should be for four years, not five years as proposed in the bill.
PART V: STAFF OF THE COMMISSION
Clause 27. The Secretary shall –
- be appointed for a single term of 5 years
OUR INPUT
On the number of years for secretary of the board appointment, our recommendation should be for four (4)
OTHER STAFF OF THE COMMISSION
The staff of the Commission appointed under Clause 28 of this Bill, shall be appointed upon such contractual terms and conditions of service (including terms and conditions as to remuneration, allowances, pensions, gratuities and other benefits) as the Board may determine after consultation with the Federal Civil Service Commission and approval of the President on the advice of the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) established under Section 153(1) of the Constitution.
OUR INPUT
Clause 28, appointment upon contractual terms and conditions of service (including terms and conditions as to remuneration, allowances, pensions, gratuities and other benefits), should include insurance of staff,
PART VII: COVERAGE, REGISTRATION AND INELIGIBILITY, ETC
(4) Old age, and this applies exclusively to any eligible person who is –
(a) at least 70 (seventy) years of age,
OUR INPUT
We recommend that the years for eligibility should be from 65 years of age, those within the bracket, that needs help are in millions; hence there is need to streamline to avoiding overwhelming application, when the commission is established.
PART IX: FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
Establishment of the National Social Security Commission Fund
Clause 46. All monies received into the Fund and any proceeds thereto that forms any reserve unspent after statutory expenses shall be invested according to guidelines approved by the Board.
OUR INPUT
For the forgoing, it is important to properly state the scope of investment that can be carried out by the proposed commission in the bill, to avoid uncoordinated investment that won’t yield profit, with respect to return on investment.
PAYMENTS INTO THE FUND
- There shall be payment into the Fund for the operations of the Commission
(5) 0.05% of all Ports and Maritime related charges as declared by the Federal Ministry of Finance;
OUR INPUT
On the above payment into the commission, with respect to revenue generation from Ports and Maritime, we recommend that the percentage should be increase to 0.5 percent, because what the commission is billed to cover is enormous, well structure multiple sources of funding is key to the actualization of the mandate of the proposed commission
INVESTMENT OF FUNDS
Clause 52. Money standing to the credit of the Fund and not immediately required to be expended in meeting the obligations of the Commission, including payments to beneficiaries, may be invested from time to time in such proportions as the Board may approve, having regard to contingencies.
OUR INPUT
Investment of fund of the commission must be thoroughly looked at, for proper definition on how the commission is going to invest funds, for clarity, to avoid unwholesome investment practices capable of undermining the mandate of the proposed commission.
CONCLUSION
I want to once again appreciate the sponsor of this life transforming bill and for his forthrightness, for seeing the urgent need for the establishment of National Social Security Commission, billed to alleviate the sufferings of the vulnerable in our society and the unemployed youths, in the face of current humanitarian crisis bedeviling our society and the world at large.
Initiative for leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria, wholeheartedly support the establishment of National Social Security Commission and advice that an investigating unit should be set up within the commission to look at all request for support or grant from the commission before rendering assistants, to avoid false information application for grant or support from the commission and for proper indemnification of qualified genuine applicants.
We humble urge and totally support the committee to continue with their good work, to successfully pass the bill into law for the benefit of Nigerian citizens.
Long live Federal republic of Nigeria
Amb. Splendour A. Agbonkpolor
Executive Director
Initiative for leadership and Economic Watch in Nigeria
