The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Dana

  • Fed Govt to deploy air patrol borders to Northeast

    Fed Govt to deploy air patrol borders to Northeast

    Minister of Interior Abba Moro yesterday said theFederal Government has concluded plans for air border patrol in the Northeast.

    Moro spoke when he received in his office a delegation from DANA Airline, led by its managing director, Mr. Mark Snoxell Dornier.

    He said the step became necessary to takecontrol of the country’s borders, especially in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, where the security challenge was high.

    Moro said most of the perpetrators of mayhems were foreigners who have illegally come in through the porous borders.

    He sai:d “This visit has been long in waiting, especially against the backdrop that I have paid a similar visit to your organisation almost immediately I assumed office as the Minister of Interior. I felt then and I still feel that air border surveillance is a very critical component of our overall desire to take proper control of our borders. As you aware, we have a serious internal security now; as you are equally aware, some of the perpetrators of mayhems in the country have been identified as foreigners who have illegally come in through our borders to Nigeria.

    “You are equally aware, especially on the northern part, that our borders are very porous and so the three attributes that we try to develop to control our borders were vehicular border patrol, the construction of border plaza, the deployment of high technology equipment to be able to survey our borders and of course and the air patrol that we are talking about.

    “Since my visit to your office and inspection of our facilities, we have taken some other steps to see how we can resuscitate our air border patrol. I have to set up a committee to examine our existing preparedness to undertake border patrol against the backdrop of our existing aircraft; some that are serviceable and some that are not serviceable and the report have been submitted.”

    Dornier said the airline was ready to partner the ministry to provide the necessary training for the immigration personnel expected to man the aircraft for the border patrol.

    He told the minister that his company has two aircraft capable of delivering the service, adding that the age of an aircraft has nothing to do with its efficiency.

     

  • DANA Air resumes flight operations

    DANA Air resumes flight operations

    EARLY 17 weeks after its aircraft were temporarily banned, DANA Air resumed scheduled operations yesterday.

    Safety and aircraft inspectors from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) were involved in the test flight of the airline’s MD 83 aircraft.

    The aircraft took off from the domestic wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos.

    The resumption of DANA Air yesterday raised the stake of competition in domestic air travel. The airline offered the lowest fare on resumption.

    At the Departure Hall of the MMIA 2, the Chief Operating Officer, Yvan Drewinsky said the airline had closed open items identified in the audit supervised by the NCAA.

    He said the issues in the NCAA audit had nothing to do with safety, but operational procedures and processes.

    The airline chief explained that the closure of the open items led to lifting of the suspension on its operations.

     

    Drewinsky assured that the airline would not treat the safety and comfort of its clients with levity.

    The Dana chief added that while on suspension, its

  • Dana de-worms 3,000 pupils

    Dana de-worms 3,000 pupils

    To make pupils healthy, Dana Drugs Limited has de-wormed over 3,000 school children of Barikin Sale Primary School, Barikin Sale, Minna, Niger State.

    The gesture, according to the team leader, Godwin Ediagbonya, is to make the pupils healthy and avoid running stomachs during the course of their studies.

    Ediagbonya said the exercise was done in partnership with the state Ministry of Health and Hospital Services on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW) programme.

    It was carried out by the wife of the Niger State Governor, Hajia Jumai Babangida Aliyu.

    She urged parents to always de-worm their wards to keep them healthy. Also speaking, Mr Gift Osiomwan, said Niger was the third to host to the firm’s state tour on de-worming.

    “Niger State played host as the third state on the series of the nationwide de-worming of school children by Dana Drugs Limited as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts,” he said.

    He said the firm will continue in its efforts at ensuring that pupils across the country are de-wormed.

  • Dana appoints new Chief Operating Officer

    To avert air mishaps, Dana Airline yesterday said it has undergone dynamic changes and initiatives including the appointment of Yvan Drewinsky as its Chief Operating Officer.

    Drewinsky, a global aviation expert with over 30 years experience, has the mandate of Dana’s board to sustain standards and quality of service within the airline.

    The airline, which was on October 6, grounded by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to allow for an operational audit, said it was poised to better serve the safety and comfort needs of its customers.

    While awaiting the lifting of its suspension by the NCAA, the airline in a statement disclosed that it was committed towards undergoing the intensive IATA Operational safety audit (IOSA) programme by next year.

    It also claimed that the airline was investing in requisite staff trainings in strict adherence to NCAR, ICAO and IATA standards, “even in the period our flight operations are under suspension.

  • Dana Air crash: Ground victims to reject compensation

    Dana Air crash: Ground victims to reject compensation

    Ground victims of the Dana Air crash are set for a showdown over the alleged payment of compensation by Dana Air and its insurer, Prestige Assurance Plc.

    A lawyer to one of the ground victims, Pastor Daniel Omowunmi, owner of the property, which the ill-fated plane crashed into, confirmed to The Nation that Dana Air offered them a cheque, but that he would reject it because the amount on it was ridiculous. He, however, did not give the figure.

    The lawyer, Olumide of the Dele Adeshina Chambers, said the offer was far below what their surveyors, Osas and Oseji, recommended for payment.

    Also, Chukwuemeka, a lawyer to Mr Iloka, said he has not received any offer from the underwriter.

    He said despite the meeting he had with the Dana Air officials and promises by them to pay, he was surprised to hear that the underwriter offered cheques to ground victims and he had not received any for his cllient.

    He, however, said he would sue the airline for a breach, adding that he did not go to court earlier, because he felt the claims would be settled.

    Last week, Prestige Assurance Plc, the lead insurer of the Dana Air, announced on behalf of its co-insurers, that it had handed over cheques to some owners of property destroyed during the incident.

    The Managing Director of the company, Mr Prakash Mittal, said these include those who were certified and forwarded to them by their legal firm.

    Mittal said: “On behalf of other co-insurers, the company wishes to assure families of victims of the air disaster that the insurance companies will pay compensations to all beneficiaries once their documentations are certified genuine and okay for payment by the competent authority.

    “It is on record that over 101 deceased passengers’ families’cheques/fund transfer certificates have been released to the solicitors for the initial liability payment of $30,000 while about 24 of them have been able to provide the required Letters of Administration and their cheques for the balance of USD70,000 each, as final payment have also been handed over to the firm of solicitors to enable them to hand over same to appointed administrators of the deceased passengers’ estate, after  finalisation of the legal processes involved.

    “In addition to this, we have also handed over the cheques for some of the third party property on ground which were certified and forwarded to us by the legal firm,” he said.

    He assured that the insurance companies working with the relevant government agencies would continue to work round the clock to ensure the processing and payment of these claims and compensations once proper documentation is done.

    Pastor Omowunmi said the crash into his property, which served as his business and residential building, has kept him out of job and means of livelihood, thereby making it difficult for him to cater for his himself and his family.

    He said: “Before the unfortunate incident, I had a warehouse with goods worth N300million while my building and fish pond, among other properties, worth N200million. What I received from them is $30,000 initial payment, which I used to get an accommodation. I lost four structures to that site.

  • Dana crash: 24 families to get $70,000 balance, says Prestige

    CHEQUES of $70, 000 each of 24 victims’families of last year’s Dana Air crash out of 101 are ready, the underwriter Presitige Insurance has said.

    The Dana Air’s Boeing McDonnel MD-83 flight No. 992 on June 3, last year crashed in Iju-Ishaga area of Lagos State, killing all the 153 passengers and the crew on board. It destroyed properties and killed about 13 victims on ground.

    In a statement, Presitige Managing Director, Mr Arnand Prakash Mittal, said over 101 deceased passengers’ family cheques and fund transfer certificates had been released to the lawyers for the initial liability payment of $30,000.

    He also said the company has handed over the cheques for some of the third party property on ground, which were certified and forwarded to them by the legal firm.

    He noted that other co-insurers working with the relevant government agencies would continue to work round the clock to ensure the processing and payment of these claims and compensations once proper documentation is done.

    He reiterated the company’s commitment to honouring its contract to families of victims of the Dana air crash that occurred in Lagos exactly a year ago.

    In his words, “As the nation marks the first anniversary of the Dana air crash, the management of Prestige Assurance Plc, the lead insurance underwriter to Dana Air, commiserates yet again with the families of victims of the crash that occurred in Lagos exactly a year ago.

    “The company seizes the opportunity of the one year anniversary of the accident to pray God to continue to repose in the families of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss of their loved ones.

    “Suffice it to say that as responsible risk bearers, Prestige Assurance Plc is committed to honouring its contract and, therefore, reiterates its preparedness to settle all genuine claims arising from the unfortunate incident and certified by the solicitors appointed by the lead reinsurers (overseas) as provided by the Dana aviation policy terms and condition”.

    He further said: “On behalf of other co-insurers, the company wishes to assure families of victims of the air disaster that the insurance companies will pay compensations to all beneficiaries once their documentations are certified genuine and okay for payment by the competent authority.

    “Consequently, the company solicits the cooperation and understanding of victims’ families to exercise restraint and settle their internal differences and come up with proper documentations to enable settlement of their claims without further delay.

    “It is on record that over 101 deceased passengers’ families’ cheques/fund transfer certificates have been released to the solicitors for the initial liability payment of $30,000, while about 24 of them have been able to provide the required Letters of Administration and their cheques for the balance of $70,000.00 each, as final payment have also been handed over to the firm of solicitors to enable them hand over same to appointed administrators of the deceased passengers’ estate, after  finalisation of the legal processes involved. In addition to this, we have also handed over the cheques for some of the third party property on ground which were certified and forwarded to us by the legal firm”.

  • Dana victims

    Dana victims

    It is sad that one year after, compensation remains a sore point in the unfortunate disaster

    June 3 made it exactly one year that Dana Airlines Flight 992 crashed in Iju-Ishaga, a community in Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, killing all the 153 persons on board. The crash dented the five-and-a-half year period of no air mishap involving any commercial airliner in the country. The plane had left Abuja for Lagos, but had its journey prematurely ended while attempting to land, and reportedly lost its two engines. The accident naturally threw the country into mourning, with government officials giving the usual promises of ensuring that the needful was done so that we would not witness such a tragedy again.

    By and large, there has not been any serious air mishap since then. But then, the issue of compensation has been a sore one for the victims of the disaster. Of course what has happened cannot be undone, but the least we owe the relatives of the dead and even affected survivors of the crash is adequate compensation, to reduce their agony. One year is long enough for this to be sorted out; giving the trauma that is normally associated with such mishaps. We have heard all manner of moving tales from many of those affected, both directly and those who suffered collateral damage when the plane crashed.

    We do not know why the government restored Dana’s license when most of the issues thrown up by the accident were yet to be resolved. This is not just about airworthiness criteria being met; it is also about the human factor, aviation facilities, etc. The point is that this crash’s chapter cannot be closed (even if Dana is absolved of blame) until those affected have been duly compensated. The crash had taken away breadwinners in many homes, destroyed business places, rendered many homeless, turned landlords into tenants, among others. It is therefore important that the victims’ sufferings are ameliorated.

    It is sad that only about 23 victims have been fully paid the $100,000 that they are entitled to, out of 153 persons on board and four others killed on the ground. Dana Air has claimed that most of the beneficiaries have not been paid because of court cases by some of the relatives on who should actually be paid while others cannot be paid because they have not completed the documentation process. These may be true; but this is where also the government should come in because it owes Nigerians the duty of protecting their interests. It should not be in a hurry only to restore the airline’s license; it should be interested as well in ensuring that Nigerians are paid their entitlements arising from the disaster.

    The government should do more to ensure that all those deserving are duly compensated. We acknowledge our culture of inheritance of people wanting to share; but Dana or any business concern, local or foreign, should not be allowed to exploit Nigerians because of this. We also like to see Dana do more by way of updates on the crash.

    Most importantly however, the best way to immortalise the dead is for the government to ensure that the necessary things are done to ensure that planes do not fall from our skies in quick succession again. The aviation minister, Mrs. Stella Oduah, has assured that the ministry had implemented policies to ensure that similar disaster did not recur. We can only hope this is not the usual rhetoric by government officials.

    We salute the Lagos State government for its efforts and financial commitment towards the DNA of the victims as well as the provision of infrastructure in the areas affected by the crash. We commiserate with the victims who suffered collateral damage and those who lost their loved ones, and pray that the country would not witness such tragedy again.

  • Dana…it is not business as usual

    Dana…it is not business as usual

    Before June 3, last year, Dana Air was the toast of many a traveller. But, all that changed when its McDonnel Douglas 83 aircraft crashed exactly a year ago into residential buildings in Iju-Ishaga, a Lagos suburb, killing all 153 passengers and crew members onboard. The airline’s licence was suspended and was not restored until six months later. Even when it got the greenlight to resume operation, it went back to the drawing board before returning to the skies.

    It resumed operations on January 4 on the Lagos-Abuja route. But business has not returned to the pre-June 3 crash days. The airline now flies about 40,000 passengers monthly as opposed to the over 100,000 passengers it was flying before the crash.

    It began with two daily flights between Lagos and Abuja, which it has now increased to 12 daily flights on the same route.

    A few months after the consolidation of the Lagos-Abuja route, the airline began flights on the Lagos-Port-Harcourt route, which started as a daily flight, but has now increased to two daily flights. In all, Dana operates 16 daily flights on the Lagos-Abuja-Port-Harcourt routes.

    But its flights to Uyo, Kano and Enugu airports are yet to take off.

    The airline claims it will soon resume flights on these routes, as “passengers from those cities have been putting pressure on the airline to resume operations on the routes”.

    With its flexible fare offering, DANA Air has been providing cheaper fares on the routes it flies since it resumed operations.

    As a way of shoring up its business, Dana has introduced the ‘Roving Agent’, a mobile device which allows passengers to be checked-in on arrival at the airport by its mobile check-in staff.

    The mobile check-in agents can issue boarding passes to guests even before they reach the check-in counter. They are strapped with tablet PCs and mini printers. This new initiative complements the airline’s existing check-in counters and online check-in service.

    Dana Air’s Head of Commercial Obi Mbanuzuo said: “What we are offering in roving agents is immense value addition for our guests. With this solution, our mobile check-in agents can quickly access and verify the travel reservation details of guests; book them on their choice of seat and generate boarding passes.

    “Now guests with hand baggage need not wait at the check-in counter to collect their boarding pass; they can simply approach any of our easily recognisable mobile check-in agents on arrival at the airport and then proceed through airport security to the boarding gate.”

    It has also introduced the book-on-hold option, which gives the convenience of booking tickets and paying later at designated bank branches across the country as well as using interswitch enabled Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).

    Mbanuzuo described the introduction of the book-on- hold option as “a good step forward in our effort to make the process of booking travel more accessible to guests throughout Nigeria.”

    Passengers can access the option by making reservation either online or by phone, after which they will take their booking reference number to any of the designated banks or interswitch enabled ATMs to make payments not later than 48 hours to confirm the booking.

    The airline’s spokesman, Mr. Tony Usidamen, said it would acquire two Boeing 737-300 aircraft. He said the choice of Boeing 737-300 was considered for economic reason, saying it is cheaper to fly and fuel efficient, as opposed to older and fuel consuming aircraft.

    The new aircraft, he said, would be delivered in the third quarter of the year.

    The airline has also been busy sorting out the ‘mess’ of the crash.

    Usidamen said the airline was gradually recovering from the effects of the crash, following its plan to settle the insurance claims of families of those killed in the crash.

    He said the airline was fully insured, challenging industry watchers to cross check its premium claims with the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM).

    Usidamen said 65 families sued the airline, adding that payment of compensation to such families’ representatives had been put on hold until all the legal issues are sorted out.

    He said: “So, from the point of view of the airline, it has done what is considered responsible, especially at the time of the accident by ensuring that all those who lost their abode got a place of their own immediately.

    “Naturally, when an accident occurs, once an airline is fully insured and premiums are paid up to date, the onus is on the insurer to ensure the payment of compensation. The process is ongoing with all the victims’ representatives, both onboard and ground.

    “Negotiations are ongoing with all persons who submitted their claim forms. The claim forms are sent to the insurers who will send valuers to assess the extent of the loss in the affected area. Based on this, negotiation begins between the insurers’ and victims’ representatives.

    “Negotiations are ongoing between the legal representatives of both the insurers and the victims. Both parties, as a matter of necessity must reach an agreement. That process is ongoing; it is not in the hands of the airline. The insurers are sparing no effort in ensuring that an agreement is reached and all the people who lost properties are fully compensated to the extent of the losses incurred.

    “Delay in completion of the payment process is due to incomplete documentation, multiple claim cases, challenge in securing grant of probate/letter of guardianship (in the case of minors) and legal suits. Our insurers are, however, sparing no efforts in processing all claims in accordance with the applicable law.

    “We are giving the support we can to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); we are doing the best we can because we, as an airline, would like to see the process completed soon. The money to pay is there; it can be confirmed from the NAICOM, but certain requirements have to be met with regard to the payment of the balance of $70, 000 to each beneficiary.”

    Usidamen said 11 families had received full compensation of $100,000 while 21 more, whose grant of probate had been processed, would soon get full payment.

    He added that as at May 24, 125 beneficiaries’ families who completed claim forms had received the initial $30,000 compensation following legal verification of documentation and next-of-kin status while eight families were yet to submit any document.

    “May be they are observing the one-year mourning period; maybe they are not interested because they feel the money means nothing to them,” he added.

    The main ground victim, Pastor Daniel Omowunmi, whose warehouse the plane crashed into, said he has been frustrated. He said but for the $30, 000 his lawyers demanded in lieu of accommodation about three months ago, Dana has not done anything.

    He said: “The last time I besieged their office, they called the police and when we went to the police station, they claimed they knew nothing about my N500 million claims. They also claimed they were not aware that I have been given $30, 000. I was the one who told the Area Commander that they have given me the money, which was demanded by my lawyer for accommodation.

    “Till today, they have kept promising to make an offer but have done nothing. If they are claiming they have given me advance payment, what then is the sum they have agreed on? We are still waiting on them and it appears they want to frustrate people to go to court so that the issue will keep dragging.”

    On the construction of cenotaph on his land by the state government, Omowunmi said he was contacted by the government and they promised to relocate him before using his land.

    He added: “The government promised to sort me out before construction on the land but till date, nothing has been done. I reached out to the Ministry of Lands to make enquiry and they told me they were on it. I have the Certificate of Occupancy and other relevant documents on my property. So, I want to believe the government is not planning to take my land by force.”

    Mr. Olatunji Lawal, who claims to have lost his sight to the disaster, said he has not been able to do any business in the past one year. He said all efforts to make Dana Air understand the suffering he is going through has yielded no result.

    Lawal said: “ The post-traumatic stress we experience cannot be overemphasized because emotionally, psychologically and otherwise, I cannot say I have been okay.

    “I cannot even go about my businesses the way I used to because the crash affected my sight. The whole thing has restricted me to a particular place.

    “As you are standing before me now, I cannot see you. Well, before this incident, I had eye challenges but I could see with my glasses and I used to go about my business. But the day the plane crashed, I was sleeping inside my house. It was the thunderous landing of the plane that woke me up. Before I woke up, my apartment has been engulfed with smoke.

    “So, the gaseous emission from the aircraft entered my nostrils and eyes. For some weeks, I could not open my eyes because they were paining me. So, I went to the hospital and complained and they told me they will run a check.

    “At a point, they said the machine to run the check was not functioning. I even told the Dana people that this is what I am going through but they did not care.

    “Dana refused to compensate us. They refused to come to our aid. Our lawyer, Gbenga Eguntola has written several letters to Dana. He even had a meeting recently with us here. He has been trying his best and we are hoping that something good will come out eventually.

    “Of the ten cheques they brought while we were still in the camp, only two of us (Pastor Omowunmi and I) rejected the offer. I was given a cheque of N100, 000 for accommodation and I wondered where in Lagos I will secure an accommodation for N100, 000.”

    Another victim, Olakunle Olanipekun, said it appears the government has connived with Dana to neglect them.

    He said: “If the unfortunate disaster that happened last year had occurred in India, will the Indian government fold its arms and watch? Does Dana Air not have a responsibility towards us? The whole thing is beginning to make us wonder if our governments have not conspired with Dana against us.

    “Most people have left this neighbourhood but some of us who cannot afford accommodation outside are still here. I am begging the government, Federal, State and Local Government not to lead us to temptation.”

    Alhaja Ramatalai Akinwusi, whose fence and toilet were damaged by the crash, said she repaired her properties herself when Dana was not forthcoming.

    “When Dana came here, they promised to come and repair my fence, toilet and one room that were destroyed by the crash, but after that day, I did not see anybody.

    “So, I had to use my money to repair them since I do not have any one to help me. After I had repaired the damages, government people came and gave me notice to quit that they wanted to demolish my house to add the land as part of the cenotaph.

    “The information made me sick and I was hospitalised for three days. In April, the road construction people also brought another notice through one lawyer Giwa that they wanted to demolish my house and acquire the land; I still told them I have no husband, no help and nowhere to go. That I won’t allow them demolish my house unless they have a new place for me.

    “So, they finally pulled down part of my fence and a shop attached to it.”

    Mrs. Grace Adekunle said she used her feeding allowance, which her children gave her, to repair the damaged roof in her main building. She said she has not seen anyone, “no government, no Dana”.

    Her boys quarter, which was damaged in the crash, The Nation observed, has not been repaired till date.

    She said: “Although it is one year, I am still in shock over the accident. Each time that I wake up and remember how busy our street used to be and that the empty land beside me used to be a very big compound, I shiver. But I thank God for everything.”

  • ‘Dana has almost turned me to a beggar’

    ‘Dana has almost turned me to a beggar’

    The owner of the building on which the plane crashed, Pastor Daniel Omowumi, spoke with Sunday Oguntola on his ordeals and futile efforts to get compensation in the last one year. Excerpts:

     

    How has it been in the last one year?

    My brother, it has been tough. It is not easy at all. It is only by the grace of God that I have been surviving. You know those who work and receive salaries are still struggling, let alone someone like me who has been out of business for almost a year now. It has been tough but God has been faithful. I have a family of eight, three biological children, my wife and others living with me.

    How far have you gone with Dana Plc on the issue of compensation?

    There is nothing at all from them. They only wrote my lawyer after I locked up their office requesting for two weeks to make an offer for compensation. They did not even bother to cross-check my claims; they were only willing to make an offer. Then a day before the two weeks elapsed, they wrote back asking for a week extension. That ends today (Friday) but we haven’t heard anything from them. Can you imagine that? You wonder the kind of boldness they have. They just do things as if nobody can question them.

    I originally would think that a responsible organisation like that will not wait for me to lock up their office before settlement.

    Until you picketed their office, are you saying there was no correspondence or negotiation with you?

    There was none at all. The letter we got three weeks ago was from the lawyer to their foreign insurer, Yomi Oshikoya. He told my lawyer that he had instructed Dana not to talk to anybody on compensations except him. If you go and ask Dana, they won’t say anything. I learnt their spokesman, Tony Usidamen, claimed on air that they were negotiating with me. I want him to provide evidence of negotiation with me. You can only be talking about negotiating if there had been an offer and I accepted or declined. Tony is a liar and what he said is untrue.

    How much claims have you put to them?

    It is about N500million for three different people. There is someone who had six warehouses of educational materials with me. There was another who had five warehouses of kitchen utensils. All the documents to that effect have been put across to Dana. I lost four apartments in the crash; one detached apartment; two bedroom apartments and a bungalow at the back, four fish ponds and my Xterra SUV.

    All the details were put across to them. Whenever my lawyer pressurises their lawyer, they will call for meetings and then decline. This has been dragging for almost a year now. They keep asking for all manners of documents, which we have provided. The only thing they have not asked for is the receipt of my life. Every required document has been given to them.

    The community recalled how helpful you were. How does it make you feel looking back now?

    When I got to that community, everything was at a standstill. Within the short time I was there, I alleviated poverty there to an extent. I moved there in January 2012. The house was completed in December 2011. I was barely six months when the crash happened. I believe in giving and that is the life I live. But now see the man giving has been made to start depending on others.

    But it is believed you received $30,000 from the airline. Is that true?

    Yes, I received that sum, which is about N4.5million from them. But how much is that compared to what I had there? So, I should be left alone after that peanut? I initially rejected the money but my lawyer, in his wisdom, said it was wrong. He said I should receive it that they might use it against me in the court. They might say when they wanted to start compensating me, I refused. It was on that basis that I collected the money from them.

    My lawyer said if they bring a kobo, we should collect it. The money came barely three months ago for an incident that happened almost a year ago. Dana has almost ruined my life. The airline destroyed my business.

    How does it make you feel that the airline is back in business?

    It makes me shudder at the kind of wickedness that we allow in this country. They destroyed the businesses of people and have returned to their own. They are back because they believe they get away with anything. It is a very bad signal for the country and a big slap on Nigeria. It is a disgrace on Nigeria. The thing is we have people feeding on the dead, forgetting that they will drop dead one day.

    How far are you willing to go with this battle?

    I won’t stop until I get my money.

    And you believe you will get it?

    I will get my money. I believe so without doubts. There won’t be a letdown until I get my money. The longer it takes the better for me.

    Did you receive any compensation from Lagos State on the crash site that is being turned to a cenotaph?

    I have not received anything. That is what you get from Nigeria.

    Were you ever contacted?

    I was invited to a meeting sometime ago that I would be compensated. They promised I would be relocated somewhere before then. As we speak, there is nothing like that. The meeting was at the instance of the ministry of lands and physical planning.

    What do you do every day when you wake up now?

    I just thank God because going by what is happening in this country, one is lucky to be alive. The whole thing has taught me never to rely on human beings. I have realised the best you can get from any human being is disappointment. God is the only one who does not disappoint.

    Do you see yourself bouncing back soon?

    My brother, I will be back. I won’t allow what happened to keep me down. I am going to emerge stronger and better from all of these.

     

  • One year after Dana crash victims seek justice

    One year after Dana crash victims seek justice

    A year after the Dana Air crash that killed 163 passengers, it is no longer business as usual at the Iju Ishaga site reports Sunday Oguntola

     

    It’s been over 30 years since Alhaja Ramota Akinwusi moved to House 11, Popoola Street, Iju-Ishaga Lagos. But the last one year has been the most traumatic and frenetic for the widow. “This place is not the same again at all,” she muttered last Friday.

    She was merely stating the obvious. The changes are there for all to see. Alhaja Ojasope, as she is popularly called, and other residents have been battling with how much has changed in the community. Many of their former neighbours and acquaintances are nowhere to be found again. At least four of them died when Dana Air Flight 992 crashed in the vicinity on June 3, 2012.

    It was a crash that was to change their destiny and that of the community forever!

    Mass relocation and arrivals

    Other survivors lost their apartments and accommodations, forcing them to relocate. Those whose lives and property were spared have lost the courage to live in the neighbourhood again. “Many of them have moved away. They say they see things and live under torment. The sight and sound of airplanes kill them every day psychologically,” a resident who identified himself as Ibrahim stated.

    Akinwusi, a leader in the community, said she had lost count of families that have moved away. “They keep going and going. I have known some of them for over 20 years. Some were tenants and some house owners. We have shared intimate moments together but no more, thanks to the Dana crash,” she added.

    Their departures left voids and memories difficult to replace. “Many of my friends and pals have left. It is so scary that it was the crash that made them leave,” Ibrahim lamented. These families were closely knitted, sharing close affinities forever severed in a harsh, unpleasant manner.

    But as they leave, there are naturally new arrivals. The high demand for accommodation in a populous city like Lagos would mean people will most certainly take over. In almost all the streets in the community, investigations showed there has been unprecedented arrival of new families. Blessing Uwa is one of them.

    Her new apartment on Olaniyi Street was badly affected when the McDonnell Douglas MD-83 plane crashed. Those who could not live with the torments left, making it possible for her to move in with her husband. “I came here about three months ago,” she began. “Though I knew about what happened but I was not bothered because I did not live here to see the carnages.”

    These arrivals have shot up rent values in the neighbourhood. A 3-bedroom apartment that used to go for N250, 000 per annum now costs N350,000 – 400,000. Yinka Bello, an estate agent in the community, said this is expected as house owners move to maximise profits.

    “Those whose buildings were affected had to rebuild through loans and borrowing. They have to recoup. Those whose houses were unaffected have to benefit from the current market value since their old tenants moved. That is why the rents have gone up drastically,” he explained.

    High costs of renovations and rebuilding

    For most house owners, the last one year has been frenetic. Many of them have had to rebuild devastated buildings at massive costs. The toilets, bathrooms and a room in the apartment of Alhaja Ojasope were badly destroyed after the crash. All of them are wearing a new look but at great costs.

    She revealed she had been left with no option than to obtain a high interest-paying loan to rebuild the structures. “I am only a poor widow. Where can I get money? What trade do I have? I only had to borrow and I am still heavily indebted for the reconstruction,” she hinted.

    One of her two shops has also been demolished to accommodate a new road construction in the community. “Since I moved here, things have never been this bad,” she complained. Mrs. Grace Adekunle is the owner of House 7 Popoola Street. The widow had been through the valley of the shadow of death since the incident.

    The trauma of leaving the house where her late husband was buried compounded her health challenges. Her blood pressure had been on the rise since. “I have not been myself at all. Apart from the loss of my trading business and the damage to our house, I was hospitalised and left to suffer,” she recounted. At a point, she moved to the rehabilitation home in Ipaja for victims where she said she only benefitted from the feeding.

    “They (Dana officials) took us to hospital for tests but failed to pay for our treatments. I stopped going after nothing was forthcoming. I had to live with a landlord in a room apartment after being a house owner for years,” she recalled.

    When she finally came back, she was faced with the challenge of rebuilding without funds. “I had to just borrow. I am still in debts with my children, otherwise we won’t be here again at all.”

    Many other house owners on Okusanya, Olaniyi and Popoola streets stated that they have become indebted due to the reconstruction they had to do.

    Where is the compensation?

    But they are still a bit luckier. They, at least, have houses and structures to rebuild. For Pastor Daniel Omowumi, it is a tale of nowhere to go. The highly successful entrepreneur is down to ground zero, no thanks to the crash. His business empire and residence crashed with the plane less than six months after he moved to the community.

    From an employer of labour, he has become an ordinary struggler, surviving on the largesse of acquaintances and relations. When our correspondent met him last Friday, he cut a pitiable sight. Recounting his ordeals in the last one year, Omowumi said: “My brother, it has been tough. It is not easy at all. It is only by the grace of God that I have been surviving. You know those who work and receive salaries are still struggling, let alone someone like me who has been out of business for almost a year now.

    “Dana has almost ruined my life. The airline destroyed my business.” Despite his losses, he said he has not been paid any compensation (see full interview). What used to be his thriving furniture and printing press businesses have been turned to a cenotaph ahead of the first anniversary of the ill-fated flight.

    A blessing in disguise?

    There is blessing in adversity for some. In so many ways, however, the crash has been a blessing in disguise for the community. The Lagos State government has focused developmental projects in the neighbourhood ahead of the anniversary. Two months ago, H.F.P Engineering Nigeria Limited moved to the area to embark on massive road constructions. The inner roads on Kufeji, Idowu Williams, Okusanya and Olaniyi streets leading to the cenotaph were being completed last Friday when our correspondent visited.

    Many staff of the firm were seen frantically working on the projects. Not less than four caterpillars were on site. The roads were being constructed with culvert drains to fight flooding, which has been troubling the neighbourhood for ages. There are also street lights ready for commissioning ahead of the visit of Governor Raji Fashola tomorrow.

    The secretary of Akande Community Development Association (CDA), Mr. Akin Aina, noted the “rapid, unprecedented infrastructural developments” were most welcomed. According to him, “There have been some rapid and unexpected infrastructural developments here. That is very connected with the crash. We are really grateful to Governor Fashola for this because we are now receiving infrastructural attention in this area.”

    He admitted the projects would not have been possible without the unfortunate incident. The fences of several houses have been demolished to accommodate the new roads. This, Aina stated, has left the community insecure. “In the last one week, we have recorded four armed robberies because the houses are left without fences. We want the government to help us on this. We also have the issue of flooding that has devastated many houses.”

    Cries for justice

    Omowumi, Adewusi, Adekunle and other residents are livid Dana Air has not been forthcoming with compensation. “I have not received a dime from them,” Adewusi stated. According to Adekunle, she only got an umbrella worth N200 from the airline after the incident.

    “When we were in the rehabilitation home, they gave me an umbrella that I found out costs only N200. Apart from that, I have not received anything else.” The debts she incurred to rebuild her house, she said, keep mounting, forcing her blood pressure to keep shooting up. “It is true we are alive but we are dead already. How can we survive without any form of compensation?”

    Omowumi accused the airline of playing hanky panky with his claims after submission of all relevant documents. “They have ruined my business but they cannot ruin my life,” he boasted.

    When our correspondent visited the Allen Avenue, Ikeja office of Dana Air, he was told the spokesman, Mr. Tony Oshidame, was not around. No official of the airline was willing to comment, saying only Oshidame was competent to talk. Calls to his mobile phone were not successful.

    For Omowumi and others who ever lived on Iju Ishaga, the crash was one too many. Their lives and community will never remain the same. It is only a year after but life has taken a different turn.