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 (NSITF).
The summon was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by the Senior Legislative Assistant to the Speaker, Chooks Oko.
The petition against the Minister was filed by the Obasi-Pherson Help Foundation, a non-governmental organization, which lamented that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had appointed the Managing Director of the Fund but had yet to constitute and inaugurate the board months after.
“This is a huge aberration as the absence of the board is giving way to a wide range of illegalities in the running of the agency’s affairs,” the NGO stated in its petition.
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Reacting to the petition, the Chairman of the Committee, Mike Etaba, insisted that the Minister must appear in person to address the concerns raised.
“The government is being indicted, so it is only logical that the Minister clears the air on the matter,” he said.
Additionally, the committee has summoned the Managing Director of NSITF, Faleye Mayomi, over a separate petition alleging violations of the agency’s project clearance regulations.
The petitioners, Advancement of Social Justice and Economic Development Initiative (ASJEDI), accused NSITF of engaging in activities that contravene its mandate and called for an explanation.
“Ours is to serve Nigerians efficiently and ensure the right thing is done, always. Inviting the CEO is for him to throw more light on the issues at hand,” Etaba added.
The committee has directed both officials to appear before it for questioning as part of its oversight responsibilities.
