Rivers State to Enrol Staff in Employees’ Compensation Scheme for Job-Related Injuries

The Rivers State Government has announced plans to enrol its staff in the Employees’ Compensation Scheme (ECS) of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), aiming to provide medical care and rehabilitation for workers injured on the job.

The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Benibo Anabraba, disclosed this on Thursday during a courtesy visit from executive members of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Rivers State Council, at his Port Harcourt office.

According to Dr Anabraba, the state government is finalising policies for the scheme, which will also ensure compensation to beneficiaries in cases of fatal workplace accidents, pending approval from Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

“We have met with the management of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund and are intentional about commencing this scheme in Rivers State. The welfare of workers remains a top priority, and we aim to provide care and support for those injured in the line of duty, while instilling a sense of security in service,” he said.

Dr Anabraba added that the scheme will include partnerships with the private sector, particularly companies in the construction industry, to broaden coverage.

The SSG also addressed road safety concerns, urging truck operators to avoid indiscriminate parking along major roads, warning that non-compliance could prompt decisive government action.

He encouraged the TUC to sensitise its affiliates, including the Association of Shipping, Clearing and Forwarding Agencies, the Union of Tipper and Quarry Employers, and the Road Transport Employers Association, on the dangers of illegal parking.

The Rivers State initiative aligns with a broader push by the NSITF to enforce compliance among states and employers. In March 2025, the NSITF Managing Director, Oluwaseun Faleye, pledged stricter measures to ensure all employees are covered under the ECS, emphasising federal government support for the scheme.