FG orders prompt payment of death benefits to deceased civil servants

The Federal Civil Service, the Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF), Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, has charged desk officers in Ministries, extra-ministerial Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on the strict implementation of the Group Life Assurance Policy and prompt payment of death benefits to beneficiaries of deceased civil servants, across the country.

The HoSF made this disclosure in a meeting facilitated by the insurance administration department in the OHCSF and insurance desk officers in various MDAs, as well as the Para-military formations on Wednesday, in Abuja.

Represented by the director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare (SWO) in the OHCSF, Dr. Kemi Adeosun, the Head of Service of the Federation passionately appealed to the officers to embrace the culture of continuous improvement for expeditious payment of claims by government accredited insurance brokers.

She reiterated that quick processing of necessary documentation of the deceased personnel will also help in facilitating adequate budgetary provisions, stressing that the OHCSF will no longer tolerate lateness or delay in processing of benefits accrued to Civil Servants who died, while in active service.

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The Director, Insurance Administration in the OHCSF, Mr. Abubakar Maijama noted that the Pension Reform Act of 2014, section four (4) sub-session five (5) makes it mandatory for all employers of labour to provide Life Insurance Cover for their employees.

In compliance with the provision of the Act, the Federal Government of Nigeria approved that the OHCSF should coordinate the procurement of Group Life Insurance Policy for all Civil Servants.

He added that the Office annually carries out procurement processes leading to selection and appointment of accredited Brokers for the MDAs.

This, according to him, is to facilitate, as well as ensure prompt payment of verified claims by the appointed Brokers.

Mr. Maijama, also tasked the Desk Officers to abide by the stipulated one year window given by the OHCSF to process settlements and claims for deceased officers, in order to ameliorate the sufferings of their families, adding that they should immediately report death of Officers to their Insurance Broker, with a view to commencing the processing of claims before the proper documentation is submitted.