NPA Building Attack: Names Of Insurance Companies Shrouded In Secrecy

Big questions are begging for answers about the recently burnt headquarters of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), as names of the insurance companies are relatively unknown.

This is coming barely a month that suspected hoodlums attacked the building of NPA following the ENDSARS protest across the country.

 

After several briefings from the management and board of the agency in the last four weeks, none have come out to mention the names of the underwriters involve in the compensation process .

Checks by DAILY FOCUS NIGERIA revealed that management of NPA has vehemently declined to release the names of the insurance companies saddled with the responsibilities to evaluate the extent of loss to the building and contents.

In a recent chat with our correspondent,
General Manager, Corporate Communications of the agency Adams Jatto, declined comments in furtherance to reveal names of the underwriters, even as he added that”We have a consortium of insurance underwriters covering the building for fire and theft insurance policy on the building.

“The lead underwriter has appointed a loss adjuster to evaluate the extent of loss to building and contents.

“We have a comprehensive packaged insurance policy on the building this policy, among other things covers fire & theft

When asked to disclosed the names of the lead underwriters, to ascertain further investigation, the General Manager, fumed saying, “I have given you the information at my disposal which I feel should suffice for now.

 

Recall that the General Manager, Corporate Communications, Jatto Adams, confirmed to newsmen that “The ports are working. The port operations are not affected in any way. What we are doing now is to take stock and ascertain the level of damage. The insurance companies are also part of those on ground taking the stock.

“We have asked those at the headquarters to remain at home, while those who are needed to be at the scene of the incident for stock-taking are already on ground.

“We have not been able to issue a statement on the extent of the damages, because we want to take stock and be comprehensive with our facts,” he said.

 

Meanwhile,industry watchers have also concluded plans to demand for the names of the underwriters as claimed by management of NPA.

Observers in the industry have also stressed the need to use the Freedom Of Information (FOI) mechanism to get the required information , thus commenced further information.

President of National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Mr. Lucky Amiwero had said that since the building is insured for fire and theft and NPA did not default in its premium payments, it is the responsibility of the insurer to rehabilitate the building and replace stolen items.

He said: “There are classes of insurance but if the losses suffered by the NPA in the incident is covered, then the insurer takes full responsibility for paying compensation to the insured of the losses suffered. That is the essence of insurance. Going again to take money from government is double charge. I don’t want to call it fraud.

“Once it is insured, the insurance company takes responsibility for everything; that is the truth,” Amiwero stressed.

By Roland Ekama