Members of the organised labour, on Friday, protested and shut down the headquarters of Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) over alleged cut of workers’ salaries in the agency by the management of the fund.
Led by Festus Osifo, the President of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and executive members of the Association of Banks, Insurance and Financial Institutions (ASSBIFE), aggrieved protesters commenced demonstrations around 11:00 am.
Carrying placards bearing various messages, the protesters accused the management, particularly Mrs. Maureen Allagoa, the Managing Director of the Fund, of withholding N2.1 billion worth of consequential taxes deducted from their salaries.
Osifo, addressing the demonstrators, stated that the protest and subsequent shutdown of the Fund became necessary after failed attempts by ASSBIFE leadership to resolve the issue peacefully with the management.
The protesters called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately dismiss the agency’s MD to prevent potential crises within the Fund. They also demanded an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into their allegations.
Despite attempts to reach out, both Mrs. Allagoa and Mr. Godson Nwachukwu, the Fund’s spokesperson, were unavailable for comment at the time of reporting.