Security agents storm NSITF headquarters as management threatens showdown with protesting workers

The crisis rocking Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund NSITF, has taken a new twist on Friday morning as the Management and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige allegedly deployed heavily armed unknown gunmen, to lynch staffers who vowed to continue protest non-implementation of their new pay package, approved by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

The staff members of the Fund under the umbrella body, ASSBIFI, are also protesting what is described as continued fraudulent activities in the organisation in connivance with the minister, particularly, the E-NSITF project which is allegedly costing the organisation about N15 billion.

The management of the organisation has also been said to be recruiting incessantly into the top management cadre of the fund in utter disregard to the newly approved staff condition of service.

The recruitment is said not to have followed any federal public service policy with total disregard to the principle of Federal Character.

A reliable source revealed the plans of the Management and the Minister to use force against legitimate agitations for their entitlements.

A visit to the Headquarters of the NSITF on Friday at 9:00am at the Central Business Area of Abuja witnessed a tensed, armed and fierce looking security agents provided to counter the peaceful protests against the labour unfriendly posture of the Management and Government.

The armed men were seen well positioned in strategic spots within the agency’s headquarters in a Gestapo style.

Ngige whose Ministry is in charge of labour has unrepentantly portrayed aggressive attitudes towards labour related matters and workers welfare.

The workers accused the Minister of turning the agency to a ‘cash farm’ among many other pointer inscriptions against the management and government.

They also promised to continue to pursue their legitimate agitations to ensure the realisation of their demands.

Responding to a call by Accurate News reporter, General Manager, of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Ijeoma Okoronkwo, who doubled as organization secretary, said “I’m in the office and activities were going on smoothly at our headquarters here. We have a mandate as an organization and we must be well-guided. No responsible organization would use all the contributors money to pay salary. We will never bow down to blackmail or pressure. Nobody is harassing anyone.” She said