Simon Lalong, the Minister of Labour and Employment, officially welcomed the five-man “fact-finding” committee, which is led by Isaac Okehie, the Ministry’s Director of Finance and Accounting.

While reviewing the committee’s terms of reference, Lalong instructed them to look into the self-payment of gratuities to the agency’s managing director, Maureen Allagoa, while still in office, the non-release of promotions, and irregular employments.

Recall how the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) invited some top officials of the NSITF for questioning over gratuity payment of N47m to Allagoa.

In a letter dated 14th September 2023, with reference number ICPC/SSD/TB/197/2023 and directed to the Managing Director of the Fund, those invited included the Head of Administration Department, Head of Finance and Investment Department as well as Head of Audit and Inspectorate Department.

Inaugurating the committee, the minister urged members to resist any attempt to intimidate, harass or influence them while discharging their duty.

In his reaction, the chairman of the committee pledged that they would do their best to deliver on the assignment.

The committee has two weeks to submit its report.

In the same vein, Lalong said the ministry would begin a review of various agreements reached between the federal government and Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) in the past.

The minister stated this in his office when he received members of the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals led by Olumide Akintayo.

Akintayo said earlier that they visited the minister to seek understanding and support for putting several agreements they had struck with the federal government into practice.

He cited the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS), which had not been put into effect since it had been approved, as one of the major problems.