Senate passes bill on establishment of National Social Security Commission
by Ebor Cletus Ralph Jr
On Wednesday, the Senate approved a bill creating the National Social Security Commission.
The measure is anticipated to create a National Social Security protection fund to take care of the requirements of the unemployed, elderly, and children under the age of 18 from broken marriages.
The bill was approved after the Senate Committee on Establishment and Public Service Matters’ report was approved in plenary.
The bill sought to provide the legal and institutional framework for the establishment of the National Social Security Commission for the regulation, management, and administration of various social services and benefits to Nigerians, according to the report’s presenter and committee chairman, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau.
He said: “Ultimately, the bill Seeks to provide a comprehensive Legal and Governance framework for the proper administration and management of an all-inclusive, integrated, preventive, promotive and transformative National Social Security regime.
“The bill will provide flexible sustainable periodic social benefits and grants to eligible indigent Nigerian Citizens that are within the scope of the Social Security (Minimum standards) Convention, 1952 (NO 102) of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and particularly Contingencies arising therefrom.”
The former Kano State governor said the proposed Social Security Commission would provide indigent Nigerians with a comprehensive preventive and/or curative medicare from sicknesses arising from any morbid condition.
The bill was passed after a clause-by-clause consideration by the lawmakers.
