4th July, 2012
By Simon Ateba
Dana Air yesterday compensated nine claimants of the ill-fated flight 992 with $270,000 (about N43 million) following legal verification of documentation and next of kin status, P.M.NEWS has learnt.
The airline disclosed that, as at yesterday (Tuesday), it had received completed insurance forms for 68 of the victims, four of whom are Dana staff. The forms have been submitted for verification, it said.
“Dana Air 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’s lead underwriter in Nigeria, today (yesterday), 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,” said Tony Usidamen, Dana Air Head Corporate Communications.
While awaiting more next of kin or legal representatives to visit the CMC, Dana said that advance payment claims will be concluded on a case by case basis as claimants find it convenient to come forward.
“To facilitate the payment process, Dana Air had deployed three 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 said.
The airline said it appreciates that the statutory payments cannot compensate for lives lost in the accident but hope that the money will lessen the pains of the families.
“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,” Dana Air said.