Port Loko – 73-year-old widow, Mrs. Yeabu Sesay, has voiced her frustration over the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) after enduring months of delays and conflicting information regarding her late husband’s pension benefits. Her husband, a deceased primary school teacher, passed away on January 2, 2023, and despite Mrs. Sesay’s repeated attempts to access his benefit, she has yet to receive any payments.
Mrs. Sesay initially visited NASSIT’s Port Loko office, where she was instructed by a staff member named Minkailu to submit various documents, including her marriage certificate, her husband’s death certificate, and confirmation from local authorities that she was his sole wife. After complying with all requirements, she was informed that her paperwork had been sent to the Freetown head office for verification and that she should wait for further instructions.
However, despite reassurances that her claim was being processed, Mrs. Sesay’s situation took a confusing turn. On a follow-up visit, she was informed by another NASSIT employee, Joseph, that someone had been collecting her husband’s pension even before his death, and that this unknown person had received advance payments until December 2025. Joseph further stated that Mrs. Sesay would only begin receiving benefits in January 2026.
Adding to her confusion, Mrs. Sesay was later told that her husband had been overpaid by NASSIT, and the excess amount would be deducted until December 2025, leaving her ineligible for benefits until then. Distressed and uncertain, Mrs. Sesay sought clarification from Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB), where her husband’s pension was supposedly deposited. A banker informed her that no one had accessed the account, contradicting NASSIT’s claims.
Her attempts to resolve the matter have been met with more red tape. NASSIT declined to disclose her late husband’s next of kin, citing legal restrictions and advised her to contact a lawyer. Mrs. Sesay eventually sought assistance from the Legal Aid Board, where a representative, Sahr Tortor, promised to help obtain a Letter of Administration to access her husband’s bank account and investigate the pension claims.
Despite this support, Mrs. Sesay expressed disappointment and distrust in NASSIT, criticizing the agency for failing to safeguard workers’ savings and protect vulnerable widows like herself. She questioned why NASSIT enjoys a monopoly on social insurance and called for reforms to allow workers to choose their pension custodians.
Mrs. Sesay is now appealing to the Minister of Labour, the Minister of Social Welfare, and other government officials to intervene and address what she describes as increasing anomalies within NASSIT. She hopes for a swift resolution to prevent other widows from suffering similar hardships caused by bureaucratic inefficiency and maladministration.
Her case highlights growing concerns about transparency and accountability within NASSIT, as more individuals face delays in accessing the pensions and benefits intended to support them after the loss of their loved ones.