Yemisi Izuora
The Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB) has called for review of law relating general public insurance given the spate of fire incidents at various market places and of recent, petrol tankers accidents across the nation.
President of the NCRIB Mr. Shoderu explained that the call has become necessary as the spate of the accident has continued to deplete the hard earned wealth of the nation.
Making reference to the recent Idimu fire at an intersection where about 34 buildings, 70 shops, one tricycle and one truck were consumed by the fire ignited by a fallen petrol-laden tanker, Mr. Shoderu enjoined the Lagos state Governor to consider adequate insurance policy to cover such incidences.
According to him, rather than dipping hands into government coffer to compensate victims of unfortunate incidents thereby depleting the nation’s wealth, insurance professionals should be allowed to bear the burden of compensation, through adequate insurance cover.
He also commended the Governor Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on the approval for upward review of the Group Life Insurance scheme for officers of the Nigeria Police in the state.
Shoderu described the Governor’s initiative as the right step in a right direction, stressing that the move would encourage crime control and make the state safe for habitation and business growth.
Mr. Shoderu noted that the initiative was an indication that the governor values the importance of the service of security personnel, including the police, just as he urged the governor not relent, but extend the same gesture to other employees of the state as well as back it up with prompt payment of premium.
According to him, the scheme which was introduced by the state government 16 years ago to complement the Federal Government’s contributory scheme, to cover death and permanent disability of the police would ensure that their dependants live normal life in the event of death or permanent disability of their breadwinners.
He however enjoined other state governors to emulate Lagos State by paying more attention to the insurance of public properties as well as undertake life assurance for security personnel serving in their states, saying that Lagos State has become a pace setter in terms of social security.
It will be recalled that Governor Ambode had recently announced that in fulfillment of his promise to sustain, improve and consolidate on past attainment, announced the upward review of the compensation value of Senior Police officers to N5 million; Inspectors to N3 million while rank and File was hiked N2 million respectively.