The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has confirmed that all members of the Nigerian Police Force will be integrated into the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS), a move aimed at providing enhanced social benefits for officers.

The announcement came during an advocacy visit to the Force Headquarters at the weekend by the Managing Director of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Mr. Oluwaseun Faleye, who was accompanied by the Fund’s executive and senior management team.

The IGP, who commended the new Managing Director for the “radical changes” he has brought to the NSITF since his assumption of duties, said the Force will actively partner with the NSITF to also ensure compliance with the ECS among public and private sector employers.

He said, “I listened to you and want to assure you that I have taken note of everything you said, all the issues you raised. From now on, we are going to work together to make sure that the Nigerian Police Force becomes active partners with the NSITF. We are going to contribute to the Scheme. We will do everything possible. Whatever is stopping the NPF from contributing to the NSITF, we have to look into it and make sure that it works this time around.

“Then, with respect to your enforcement drive, please count on us that we will support you all the way. I have been monitoring your activities since you came in as the MD of the NSITF, and I know that you have brought radical changes to the Fund. So, I congratulate you for all the good work you are doing at the NSITF. I want to assure you that the Nigerian Police Force will partner with you.

Earlier, while stating the purpose of the visit, the Managing Director of the NSITF, Oluwaseun Faleye, noted the absence of compliance from the Police in respect of the Employees’ Compensation Scheme but expressed optimism that the intervention of the Inspector General will turn a new page in the partnership between the NSITF and the Police. He further expressed commendation to the Force for the sacrifices it makes to secure the nation.

According to Faleye, “we are here to state our appreciation first and foremost as Nigerians for the efforts of the leadership of the Nigerian Police Force in securing the nation. “Secondly, we want to engage with the leadership of the Nigerian Police Force on the core mandate of the NSITF, which is to see how to collaborate and extend the numerous benefits of our social insurance cover to the rank and file of the Police in line with our mandate. “As some of you may be aware, the NSITF is mandated by law to implement the Employees’ Compensation Scheme under which it pays claims and compensations for injuries, diseases, or death that may occur in the course of work. But these benefits can only be accessed by workers enrolled by their employers.

“Over the years, we have been at the forefront of providing these various benefits, which include disability benefits, death benefits, medical expense refunds, loss of productivity payments, and rehabilitation of accident victims to fit into a new skill in situations where the employee can’t go back to his original employment.

“We also take care of the dependents of the deceased enrollee until the last child attains the age of 21 or graduates from the university, but this is on the condition that the beneficiary is totally dependent on the deceased.

“These benefits have significant effects on productivity because if the rank and file know that when injury or death arises from the course of work, their families and dependents will be compensated in accordance with the NSITF Act, gallantry will increase, confidence will be imbued, thus resulting in higher productivity. “Beyond the financial benefits, there are also health benefits aligned with our occupational safety and awareness activities aimed at promoting health and safety in workplaces, thereby preventing accidents. This accident prevention is actually the first step in the ECS process.

“We, therefore, feel that there is no institution better deserving of this social security cover than the Nigerian Police Force; hence we are elated by the assurance from the Inspector General that the Police will come on board the ECS soon.”