Sogakope The World Bank is assisting the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to extend the pension scheme to the informal sector, Mr Thomas L. Agawu, SSNIT General Manager of Operations, said yesterday. Mr Agawu who was addressing a five-day workshop on Ageing Policy in Sogakope did not announce how much was received but said SSNIT was already using the grant which was received last year. Under the grant, some officials are currently undergoing training

abroad on how to cover the informal sector while others are studying the sector locally. Mr Agawu was presenting a paper on "Income security for the elderly - the role of SSNIT" at the workshop being organised by the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare and SSNIT. It is on the theme "Developing a national ageing policy. He named those to benefit under the informal sector as people in small establishments and self-employed or non-wage earners, including artisans, seamstresses, tailors and traders. Mr Agawu said the need for social security for the informal sector has become even more relevant in the light of current socio- economic conditions. He said the extension of the scheme to cover them would be SSNIT's

positive contribution to alleviate poverty in old age since all workers will need income security in their old age. Mr Agawu said SSNIT has made efforts to promote the sector and encourage members to join the scheme. These include the construction of market stalls, industrial estates and abattoirs and the comprehensive World Bank study which will provide a blue-print for total coverage of the sector.