NSITF set to review activities of revenue assurance consultants

Plans are underway by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) to review the activities of revenue assurance consultants to boost its service delivery mechanisms. The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Fund, Adebayo Somefun, who stated this while reviewing the activities of the revenue assurance consultants at the Fund’s Headquarters in Abuja, reiterated the commitment of the Fund to work within the parameters provided by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) in its procurement process, in line with the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business policy.  
 
He highlighted that on assumption of office, the Executive Management of the Fund, after a careful assessment of the activities of existing RACs, decided to redefine performance standard, giving opportunities to fresh hands who are eager to get the job done, while strictly following the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007. 
 
The NSITF boss said: “In line with the Management’s 4-Point Agenda, it is obvious that in the face of dwindling income generation, revenue boost is a must, if we must take the Fund to lofty heights. This is why we have decided to leverage technology to facilitate a fast, transparent and convenient Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) registration process, while we work closely with the BPP, improving on the existing model of using Revenue Assurance Consultants to complement staff efforts to generate revenue. Things around here are no longer business as usual.”
 
He cautioned that the management will not tolerate underperformance, which is why the Terms of Reference of the contract will be reviewed after every three years with due consultations with BPP. 
 
However, Somefun assured the consultants that the management is reasonable enough to know that ‘a labourer is worthy of his wages’ and that with all necessary evidence of performance, consultants will be compensated in line with the recommendations of BPP. 
 
Speaking on behalf of the consultants, the managing director of Hephzibar Integrated Technological Services, the firm covering the North-west, Nigeria, Clement Obomighie appreciated the privilege given to the team of consultants to serve. He however observed that some of the conditions stipulated by the contract, especially concerning the set benchmark before payment could be made is too stringent, and could be counterproductive. 
 
He urged the management to review the conditions to encourage consultants improve on their performance. In response to this, Somefun explained that though the conditions may appear stringent, they were handed down by the BPP and as such, could not be tampered with. However, he was quick to promise the consultants that such observations would be presented to BPP so it could be looked into to motivate consultants to do more.