NSS introduces new packages for service personnel

NSS Boss, Vincent Kuagbenu

Management of the National Service Scheme has introduced new packages for national service personnel in the health, accommodation, transportation and payment of allowances to enable them discharge their mandatory obligation effectively.

Mr Vincent Kuagbenu, the Executive Director of the Scheme, said to promote good health among National Service Personnel for improved performance, the Scheme would register all service personal to enable them benefit from the National Heath Insurance programme.

He said this when speaking at a press briefing in Accra to announce the deployment of 68,210 National Service personnel for the 2012/ 2013 year.

Mr Kuagbenu said prospective national service personal are entreated to avail themselves of this unique opportunity by contacting desk officers at various national service registration for assistance.

He said provision of accommodation for national service personal has been a major challenge to management and call for public private partnership to assiduously to address the problem.

“In order that personnel settle down quickly on their jobs and to give off their best, it is imperative for all stakeholders, user agencies, especially Metropolitan, Municipal and Assemblies, Heads of Schools and Department receiving service personal, Chiefs, Opinion Leaders, to assist such patriotic service with decent accommodation and other incentives to enable them offer unhindered and unimpeded service to their organizations,” he added.

He noted that in the last two years, personal allowances has seen an increase from GH¢ 140.00 to GHȼ 242.00 and that government continues to ensure the early payment of personal allowances.

Mr Kuagbenu said initial transport claims of service personal posted to government departments and state-own institutions from their hometowns to their service posts and back shall be paid by the scheme at existing government rates.

“Similarly, he said, initial transport claims of national service personal posted to private and quasi-government organization shall be paid by their organization. These claims shall cover in and out of station,” he added.

Mr Kuagbenu said any person called for service that is not available or does not report at his post within a period of three months after the close of posting and without proper authorization from the service board shall be considered an evader and the appropriate sanction shall evoked under Act. 426 Sections 28 [c].

He said service personnel who flout stated rules and post themselves to any establishment other than the officially given ones either with or without the connivance of the heads of those establishments, shall be declared self-posters and their service with the establishment shall not be recognized.

Mr Kuagbenu cautioned service personal who absent themselves from work without the approval of their heads of institutions shall forfeits their allowance the number of days absent and urged service personnel to abide by the rules and regulations governing the scheme.