FIC REPORT (BENUE STATE) – The Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) and the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development have sensitised heads of federal establishments in Benue State on employee compensation, occupational safety and health, as well as affordable housing and sustainable urban development.
The presentations were made on Tuesday 8th September 2026, at the meeting of the Association of Heads of Federal Establishments (AHFE) in Makurdi.
Presenting the NSITF brief, the Branch manager of the NSITF , makurdi Branch office, Mr Msugh Echono explained that the agency was established under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Labour and derives its mandate from the Employee Compensation Act (ECA) 2010.
Echono said the Employee Compensation Scheme (ECS) was designed to provide fair, adequate and sustainable compensation to employees in the event of work-related accidents, injuries, disabilities or death.
According to him, the scheme is mandatory and covers workers in both the public and private sectors, excluding the military and paramilitary services.
He highlighted that employers are required to contribute one per cent of their employees’ total emoluments to the scheme and notify NSITF of workplace incidents or accidents that could result in compensation claims.
He listed some benefits of the scheme to include compensation for injuries, disability payments, compensation for occupational diseases and exposure to harmful chemicals or agents, as well as compensation for hearing impairment and mental stress, subject to the provisions of the Act.
Echono added that beneficiaries could also access non-cash benefits such as vocational rehabilitation, counselling and the provision of artificial limbs where necessary.
On claims, he advised employees to report workplace incidents within 21 days through their employers or directly to NSITF, provide medical evidence of the injury or disease and submit claims using the designated forms at any NSITF branch office.
He further disclosed that a help desk had been established at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) to protect and support injured federal workers.
He urged federal establishments to ensure compliance with occupational safety and health standards, noting that non-compliance with the ECS attracts penalties and fines.
In a separate presentation, the controller Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Benue State Field Headquarters, Makurdi, Engr.Edwin Gyenger highlighted the critical role of shelter in human development and the need for affordable and decent housing for Nigerians.
Engr. Edwin Gyenger, FC (FMHUD), said Nigeria’s housing deficit had been officially put at 14.925 million housing units, according to figures referenced from the National Housing Data Technical Committee involving the National Population Commission and the National Bureau of Statistics.
Gyenger clarified that the housing deficit referred not merely to a shortage of buildings but to the shortage of decent and affordable housing for Nigerians.
He noted that successive governments had introduced various policies and programmes aimed at addressing the housing challenge, including the Site and Services Scheme, Shagari Low-Cost Housing Programme, National Housing Fund, monetisation policy, National Housing Programme and Renewed Hope Housing Estate.
According to him, the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is responsible for formulating and implementing policies, programmes and projects relating to affordable housing and sustainable urban development in Nigeria.
He listed among the ministry’s core responsibilities,the provision of access to affordable housing and rental schemes, formulation of policies on housing, urban planning and land administration, promotion of sustainable human settlements and urban renewal, as well as supervision of agencies involved in mortgage financing and enforcement of physical planning standards.
He added that the ministry also provides professional consultancy services to other federal government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and is responsible for the maintenance of federal government public buildings.
He further highlighted the professional departments of the ministry, including Architectural Services, Building, Lands, Urban and Regional Development, Engineering Services and Cadastral Services, alongside service departments such as Human Resources Management, Finance and Accounts, and Planning, Research and Statistics.
The sensitization formed part of efforts to improve awareness among federal establishments on workers’ welfare, statutory obligations, occupational safety, housing policies and sustainable development.
Bridget Udoo Tarker
For Head of centre FIC makurdi
