Were the Abuja-Kaduna train and the passengers attacked by terrorists on March 28 insured?
If insured, how much compensation will be paid to families of those who were killed and the injured?
Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Managing Director Mr. Fidet Okhiria said the train was insured, but he did not provide further details on the company and how much will be paid as compensation.
Responding to enquiries by The Nation on whether the train and the passengers were insured, who the insurers are, how much compensation is expected for the passengers and whether other railway assets and staff members were insured, Okhiria simply answered “Yes”.
When further asked who the insurers were and how much compensation will be paid, the NRC MD did not answer as of Sunday.
Yesterday, MD said the corporation had six insurance companies and a broker but did not name them.
He promised to revert after checking their records but he could not provide the information as of press time.
Our correspondent could not also independently ascertain the train’s insurers.
Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Sunday Thomas, said he did not know the train’s insurers.
He said: “I have engaged the Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA) which is the umbrella body of insurance companies to tell us which companies are behind the insurance of the train that was attacked, if any, and what type of cover did they grant.
”Otherwise, I believe that if it is not insured, it will be pathetic. Yes, NAICOM is in charge of insurance of government assets and I accept that there is a gap. But we are challenged.
“We have written severally to ministries and agencies to tell us their insurance needs and status in 2020 but some of them did not answer us.
“This notwithstanding, I have been charging the operators to increase awareness on insurance benefits so that more people can be informed”.