NECA Deplores Presidency, N'Assembly over Poor Handling of Budget

NECA Deplores Presidency, N'Assembly over Poor Handling of Budget

The Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) at the weekend deplored the presidency and National Assembly over the poor handling of the 2016 budget.

According to the body, the current impasse surrounding the budget and the attendant distortion is an indictment on both the executive and legislative arms of government.

NECA Director General, Segun Oshinowo, stated this when he received the acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), Ismail Agaka, in his office.

He said: “The inability of the National Assembly and executive to produce the 2016 budget is saying something silently loud about our country. I think it is shameful that there is no budget four months into the year.

"What kind of image are they painting of our country outside? He asked. "We need to urgently address our mind to a situation where our budget for the current year is unusually delayed.

"What stops us from getting our budget to be passed before the commencement of the budget year and address those issues that have served as encumbrance to passing the budget annually?"

Also, NECA DG tasked NSITF to formulate a new strategy that will usher in a more workable plan to improve employees-employers relations through interaction.

Oshinowo said: “I think it is better to have the interactive session around July because delaying in order to have the whole SWIP will deny employers who want to ventilate their complaints. Since the interactive session addresses the quality of service that is rendered, if NSITF is unable to address the contributors, it might affect inflow of contribution."

NSITF acting managing director harped on corporate governance as the best way to ensure industrial harmony in the sector.

According to Agaka, "Where there is a breakdown in the procedure, there would be negative impact not only on the organisation, but also on other stakeholders who relate with the organisation.

"It is no secret that not only NSITF, but also the public sector over the years, has witnessed this dysfunctional corporate governance. What we are therefore doing at the NSITF is in tandem with the change mantra of the present administration.

“It is important to relate with NECA, which is the umbrella body of organised employers in the country. Since the employees’ compensation scheme is fully funded by the employers, even though it is the employees that get the benefit directly, it is important to continually engage NECA.

"Overall, we know that the greater benefits of a fit worker go to the employers because a fitter employee gives the best of their capability to the employers. Therefore, businesses thrive when the employees can work and have a rest of mind that he or she will be taken care of when there is a workplace injury or his family will be compensated and looked after in case of workplace fatality. So, our relationships with NECA are significant in more ways than one.”