Dau outlines achievements in emotional farewell to NSSF

By The guardian reporter

 The outgoing director general of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) , Dr Ramadhan Dau, has hailed the Fund’s achievements under his watch, saying its net worth jumped over 1,300 per cent to 2.93 trillion/-. 

Dau, at the helm of Tanzania's biggest pensions fund for 15 years until he was eased out by President Magufuli last month, said in an emotional goodbye note that the credit for the accomplishment went to all NSSF employees.

 

"I ... look at my last 15 years with NSSF with a great deal of satisfaction for the achievement and contribution that I have made to the organization and to my country," he said in the five-page letter dated March 21, which was sent out to all NSSF offices across the country.

 

He added: "However, I must note that at times these achievements have come only after a great deal of sacrifice and discomfort. I take solace to note that the benefits to NSSF and to my country far outweigh the discomfort and distress that my family and I have endured."

 

According to Dau who has been appointed to be an ambassador by President Magufuli, NSSF completed investment projects worth 952.411 billion/- over the past decade, with other ongoing projects worth 1.71 trillion/- expected to be completed next year.

 

Investment income soared from 1.88bn/- to 251.25bn/-, representing an increase of 2,014.9 percent, while the Fund’s net worth soared 1,364.7 per cent from 200.31bn/- to 2.93trn/- during his time in charge, he said.

The Fund had also significantly boosted its efficiency by reducing the pensions benefit processing period from 30 days to 14 days, the outgoing NSSF chief added.

 

He described leaving NSSF after spending so many years there as a difficult experience for him.

 

"I will be lying to you if I say it has been easy for me to leave an organization and its wonderful people that I have been associated with for more than a decade," he said. 

 

"However, I am reminded that life is but a book of history. As I turn a new page in my new career as a diplomat, I would like to thank you all and challenge you to take NSSF to greater heights," he continued.

He urged employees of the pensions fund to offer enough support to his successor, Prof. Godius Kahyarara, who was appointed by Magufuli last week as the new NSSF boss.

 

Major investment projects implemented by NSSF under Dau's leadership include the $143.5 million Kigamboni bridge, the $544 million DEGE Eco Village in Kigamboni, the Kiluvya Hills project, Mtoni Kijichi estate, and other real estate projects like high-rise office buildings in Dar es Salaam and in other major urban centres across the country.

 

"Whilst I feel proud to note that this success story was recorded under my leadership, the real credit goes to all of you, the workers," he said, adding: "To those whom I might have hurt in the course of fulfilling my duties, I seek for your forgiveness."

 

Married with six children, he said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family after being relieved of duties as CEO of the giant pensions fund.

 

He is regarded as one of the country’s foremost experts on social protection, and holds a PhD degree in marketing from the Victoria University of Wellington. He is yet to be assigned a specific role as ambassador.