Dana Air’s lead underwriter in Nigeria, today, issued cheques
for interim benefits to nine claimants, following legal verification of
documentation and next of kin status.
The company is in contact with all other
families who have submitted relevant documents to Dana Air's Crisis Management
Centre (CMC) in Lagos and Abuja, and has advised that they come forward to the
chambers of Yomi Oshikoya & Co, appointed by the insurers in Lagos, in
order to conclude advance payment formalities. As of Tuesday, July 3, 2012, the
airline had received completed insurance forms for 68 of the victims, 4 of
which are our staff members. They have been submitted for verification.
According to the airline, 'we are aware and perfectly understand and respect that
most of the next of kin or legal representatives who submitted documents or are
yet to visit the CMC and submit documentations to us, are still observing the
customary mourning period. Advance payment claims will be concluded on a case
by case basis as and when claimants find it convenient to come forward.'
To facilitate the payment process, Dana Air had deployed
3 dedicated toll-free lines, manned by trained personnel, to a Crisis
Management Centre in Lagos and Abuja, and public announcements were made in the
national dailies and local radio requesting affected families to come forward
with details of the Next-Of-Kin, especially those whom the company had
difficulty reaching. The airline will continue to provide these services until
all claims have been addressed and settled.
Dana Air stated that 'it is fully aware of the mandatory requirement by
the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the Nigerian Civil
Aviation Authority (NCAA), for interim benefits to be paid to the families of
the victims within 30 days of the accident.'
'Dana Air appreciates that the statutory payments cannot
compensate for any of the precious lives lost in the accident but we hope that
it will lessen the pains of the families knowing that they are not alone in
these extremely difficult times. Dana Air is maintaining contact with all the families,
and will continue to offer all necessary assistance to them,' it added.
Meanwhile Dana said that as part of efforts to ensure
proper rehabilitation of the displaced Iju-Ishaga residents Dana Air, today,
presented cheques to all affected families as payment for new accommodation.
Prior to today’s gesture, the airline, in conjunction with the Lagos State
Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), had made advanced efforts in securing
accommodation for the families. The decision to monetize the gesture is based
on the request by the affected families at a meeting between them and Dana Air
officials last Thursday, 28th June, 2012.
Dana Air shares in the pains of the affected families and
continues to offer every form of assistance required by the hospital management
and overseas laboratory to ensure that the process is completed as soon as
possible, so that the families can lay their loved ones to rest. As per update
from the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH on Monday, July 2, 2012, more DNA
samples have been collected and will be sent to the UK for testing shortly.
Investigations
into the cause of the accident are ongoing and Dana Air continues to co-operate
fully with and offer all support to the investigating authorities.
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