NAICOM urges state govts to enforce compulsory insurances

Etim Ekpimah

The National Insurance Commission, NAICOM, has asked state governments to ensure enforcement of compulsory insurances.

The Commissioner for Insurance, Sunday Thomas, who spoke with  Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, stated on Wednesday that over the years, the commission has embarked on a series of programmes aimed at a nationwide public enlightenment about compliance with the laws on compulsory insurances.

According to Thomas, insurance industry is pivotal to guarantee the sustainability of growth and development of the state and its people.

“As a people, human activities have associated risks and in spite of every precautionary measure to avoid the occurrence of losses or damages, the unexpected still occurs.

“In consequence of the losses the victims are prone to sufferings, which in many cases may lead to total impoverishment of a large proportion of those affected.

“To ameliorate the situation of victims, laws have been put in place for an arrangement that will ensure that victims and especially third parties are adequately compensated,” he said.

He added that the objectives of protecting third parties and relieving the government of the avoidable burden of compensation from the meagre wallet of the government led to the enactment of various laws on compulsory insurance products.

Thomas listed the Compulsory Insurances to include that, all buildings under construction that are more than two (2) floors (Builders Liability); all public buildings including schools, offices, hotels, hospitals, markets (Occupiers Liability); group life insurance for all employees of both public and private sectors; professional indemnity for all medical practitioners and third party motor vehicle insurance in respect of death, injury or damage to the property of third parties.

The commissioner added that it is on the strength of the above that the commission is seeking collaboration with the state government in the enforcement of the above-mentioned compulsory insurances in the state.

He said, “As the chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, there is no better place to start the campaign than Ekiti State,” he said.

He also highlighted the benefits of this collaboration with State Governments.

The benefits include, Financial Compensation to the families of insured citizens who may become victims of a disaster through loss of their properties or become disabled in event of occurrence of insured accidents/disasters, robust group life insurance policy made compulsory by the Pension Reform Act 2014 gives hope to the workforce who will be ready to go extra mile in carrying out assign duties knowing fully well that the employer has made provision for the dependant in event of the unexpected and creation  of employment opportunities for citizens of the State.

Others are provision of grants and Fire-Fighting Equipment for the States’ Fire Services by NAICOM from the Fire Fund as stipulated in the Insurance Act 2003, reduction in the government expenditure in event of disaster that may affect the citizens of the State by shifting the burden to the risk-bearers (Insurance Companies), free Insurance and Risk Management Education and Enlightenment programme for the citizens of the State; and creation of additional source of internally generated revenue (IGR) for State Government in collaboration with your relevant Ministries and Agencies.

He therefore appealed to the Governor to graciously consider the benefits of the proposed collaboration for the enrichment of the State and the sustainability of the Nigeria economy at large.

The Commissioner also requested the Governor to domesticate the compulsory insurances in the State and create a structure that can be supported by NAICOM in the enforcement of the compulsory insurances and also nominate an Agency of the Government that will serve as liaison office with the Commission in this collaboration.

“The nominated agency may be requested to work with the Team of the state who shall be dedicated to this collaboration and recommend appropriate measure to domesticate the enforcement of the compulsory insurances in the State,” he said.