NCAA reads riot act to DANA Air

Posted by admin Aviation, Headlines Saturday, January 12th, 2013

Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) yesterday read the riot act to DANA Air insisting that the carrier must compensate all ground victims affected by the June 3, 2012 crash in Iju/ Ishaga, affirming that the processes that will lead to the payment of the claims must be diligently carried out.

The Director-General of NCAA, Dr Harold Demuren, who stated this at a briefing in Lagos, explained families of 14 victims have so far received the letters of administration for the payment of the remaining $70,000 as full payment.

Demuren, who was represented by the Director in charge of Aeromedical Services, Dr Theresa Bassey, also disclosed that the Lagos State Government has waived some of the charges required for the processing of letters of administration.

Demuren also stated that while the NCAA and the National Insurance Commission(NAICOM) have been collaborating to see the process through to ensure that the airline’s insurers pay compensations to the victims’ families.

He said so far, 131 victims’ families have submitted documents for payment of compensations.

Demuren said: “Families of 12 victims are yet to submit any documentation. Families of two victims are yet to submit full documentation. Families of 53 victims have gone to court, inclusive of families of 23 victims who collected the initial payment of $30,000.

Documentation for 24 victims is awaiting authentication by the insurers. Letters of administration for families of 48 victims are still being awaited. The issue of multiple claims is also being carefully handled. Cheques of the initial payment of $30,000 compensation have been paid for 85 victims.”

Demuren further explained that in order for the families to collect the remaining $70,000 compensation, letters of administration is required by the reinsurance company.

He further said : “ The NCAA has held many meetings with some of the families of the victims and their lawyers, alongside the NAICOM and sought the assistance of the Lagos State Government in order to fast-track the process of the issuance of the letters of administration.

“An official letter was written to the Lagos State Governor, the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Lagos State as well as the Chief Judge of Lagos State. A visit was made to the Chief Judge of Lagos State, requesting for the fast track of the process of the issuance of the letters of administration and waivers on levies to be paid.

“We are happy to inform the public that the Lagos State Government has approved our request to fast-track the process and waive some of the charges. We believe that within two months, the process will be completed and the $100,000 compensation will be collected. The NCAA has insisted that all ground victims must be settled.”

He, however, confirmed that families of 14 victims have so far received the letters of administration and have collected the remaining $70,000 which constitutes the full payment.
-Sunwp_posts