5th July, 2012
By Simon Ateba
Dana Air yesterday explained that the cheques it gave to nine affected residents on Tuesday were palliative measures for the displaced persons to secure temporary accommodation, and were not compensation as reported by the media.
“Of the nine families in this category of affected residents (as per Lagos State Emergency Management Agency classification), seven accepted the cheques while two requested that the gesture be explained in writing before they will receive the cheque, and the airline is responding to this request,” said Tony Usidamen, Dana Air Head Corporate Communication.
The airline explained that prior to that, it had provided relief materials to all affected residents and, in conjunction with LASEMA, had made advanced efforts in securing accommodation for the families.
“The decision to monetize the gesture at this point is based on the request by the affected families at a meeting between them and Dana Air officials on Thursday, 28 June, 2012.
“The company maintains contact with all the families and has given assurances that adequate compensation will be paid to all residents who have been affected in varying degrees and that this process is currently being handled by the insurers,” Usidamen said.
The airline also disclosed that an additional eight completed claim forms were received yesterday at Dana Air’s Crisis Management Centre (CMC) in Lagos and Abuja, bringing the total received so far to 76.
The company has advised that they come forward to the Chambers of Yomi Oshikoya & Co, in order to conclude advance payment formalities.
Meanwhile, Air Nigeria said yesterday that subsequent to the temporary suspension of their regional and domestic flight operations by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, their lessors have been requesting to repossess some of the aircraft in their fleet.
“We are fully cooperating to return their aircraft,” said Sam Ogbogoro, Air Nigeria Media Relations Manager.
“GECAS, one of our lessors, is already in the process of calling back four of their Boeing 737-300 aircraft and Air Nigeria is fully cooperating in line with the Cape Town Convention to expedite the repossession process.
“Air Nigeria plans to acquire state-of-the-art aircraft to fill the reduction in capacity and is currently finalizing plans to resume normal flight operations across the regional and domestic routes as soon as possible,” the airline said.