NASSIT’s Failure To Allocate Le34.7 B To Employees’ Accounts Creates: *Gaps In Employees’ Contribution Records *Delays In Processing Benefit Claims

By Aruna Momoh Kargbo
The National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) fails to adequately allocate contributions collected from various institutions totalling NLe34,771,239.30 which is equivalent to Le34,771,239,000.30 in old Leones to respective employees’ accounts.
This was uncovered by the protector of the Sierra Leone public purse, Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) in their recently published report, noting that the discrepancy could result in gaps in the employees’ contribution records and potentially cause delays in processing benefit claims.
“Consequently, this situation jeopardizes the Trust’s primary objective of providing retirement and other benefits,” the Audit stressed.
ASSL recommended that the General Manager, operations should ensure to establish a review system to regularly monitor and report on contribution allocations.
That periodic internal audits should be conducted to ensure that contributions are credited accurately and in a timely manner.
That the Trust should inform the affected employees and institutions about the discrepancies and the necessary steps taken to resolve them.
“Transparency in addressing the issue will help maintain trust and confidence in the Trust’s operations. Evidence of actions taken by management should be forwarded to the ASSL,” the report stated.