HANDS OFF NASSIT PROPERTIES!
…DG Jalloh Warns Encroachers, Illegal Occupants
By Ibrahim Alusine Kamara (Kamalo)
The National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) has announced a nationwide move to protect and recover its properties following reports of encroachment, unauthorised occupation and other dealings involving Trust-owned assets across Sierra Leone.
In a public notice signed by Director General Chernor M. Jalloh, NASSIT warned individuals occupying, developing, selling or leasing its properties without written authorisation to immediately cease such activities or face lawful action.
According to the Trust, the affected properties are assets belonging to beneficiaries of the national social security scheme and are held in their interest, making their protection and recovery a matter of institutional responsibility.
“NASSIT will take all appropriate lawful action to recover its properties and protect these assets,” the notice stated.
The warning comes amid concerns over reported encroachment and unauthorised dealings involving NASSIT properties in different parts of the country.
NASSIT stressed that no individual or entity has the authority to occupy, construct on, sell or lease any of its properties without the Trust’s written approval. It consequently directed all persons currently engaged in unauthorised activities on its properties to stop immediately.
The institution also issued a strong caution to members of the public against purchasing, leasing or accepting allocations of NASSIT land from individuals who do not have the authority to transact on behalf of the Trust.
The notice effectively puts prospective buyers, tenants and developers on alert to verify the legitimacy of any transaction involving property purportedly belonging to NASSIT before committing funds or entering into agreements.
The latest action signals a tougher stance by the new NASSIT leadership under Director General Chernor M. Jalloh towards safeguarding the institution’s property portfolio and ensuring that assets acquired with contributors’ resources are protected for the benefit of beneficiaries.
While the notice did not identify specific properties, locations or individuals allegedly involved in the reported encroachments, NASSIT’s declaration of its intention to pursue lawful recovery measures suggests that persons found occupying or dealing in Trust properties without authorisation could face legal consequences.
The development also raises broader questions over the scale of encroachment on NASSIT properties nationwide, how long such unauthorised occupations may have existed and what measures will now be taken to recover affected assets.
For contributors and pensioners whose interests the Trust represents, NASSIT maintains that its properties must remain protected and managed strictly for their benefit.