The Lagos State Safety Commission and the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) on Monday began discussions with stakeholders on the enforcement of compulsory insurance on public buildings in the state.
The Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission, Mr Lanre Mojola, said that the engagement was geared toward seeking for support on the initiative to domesticate the Federal Government law on compulsory insurance on public buildings.
Mojola said this at a Stakeholders Conference organised by the commission and the NIA with the theme: Lagos State Digital Compulsory Insurance (Public Buildings) for Lagos State Government – Safer Lagos Insurance.
He said that the compulsory insurance on public buildings known as the Owners Occupiers Liability would cover different entities of public places or public buildings.
These include event centres, cinemas, schools, hospitals, worship centres, restaurants and bakeries.
The director general noted that the state, in a bid to ensure safety of lives and property, found it necessary to implement the statutory insurance for the benefit of all its residents.
“Safety is everyone’s responsibility, and statistics, as carried out by the commission, has revealed that over 480 buildings nationwide have collapsed within the last 44 years.
“This is the data we recorded, imagine so much more that were not recorded, ” he said.
According to him, this indicated the strength of insurance to bear liability, as most times, the government would have to pay compensation to the affected individuals .
Mojola stated that though it is the responsibility of the government to protect lives and property, rather that paying for losses, the government should focus on good governance and security in line with its THEME agenda.
He said that the state government would ensure that everyone is protected in the state and safe when using public places.
According to him, in case of unfortunate incidents, government must also ensure that the victims are covered by insurance or compensated where death occured.
“Now that we have identified the problem, we have began engagement, then we will educate the public on the need to key into the implementation of the law before we begin enforcement and sanction after the law in fully in place.
“Safety Commission have the mandate to issue Safety Compliance Certificate to owners of buildings and this will only be issued after the Owner Occupiers certificate issued by an insurance company is presented, ” he said.
The Director General, NIA, Mrs Yetunde Ilori, appreciated the Lagos State Government under the administration of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for its effort to make the initiative happen.
Ilori said that Lagos State had been at the forefront of domestication of the federal law on compulsory insurance, and engagement for the implementation of the Owner Occupiers insurance had been on for over one year.
She stated that the domestication of the law was long overdue because insurance is a must and should be accepted as a culture in the country.
Ilori said that the compulsory insurance law is for all and sets out to give social assistance to the vulnerable in the society.
” NIA has taken a step forward to digitalise the purchase of Occupiers Liability insurance at the comfort of your home and at a pocket-friendly price.
” Occupiers Liability is not about IGR or profit for the insurance companies but safety for all.
“Insurance would not prevent unfortunate events from happening but would provide succour to the affected and an avenue to bounce back.
” We need your support, as this is not about punitive measure but partnering to ensure that we are all our brothers keeper.
” It is not about making business a liability but about sustainability,” she said.
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According to her, NIA, under the guidance of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), is partnering with Courteville Business Solution and other stakeholders to digitalise the purchase and monitoring for enforcement of the policy.
In his keynote address, Dr Muftau Oyegunle, President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), noted that government at all levels and the insurance industry should continue to partner in the interest of the people.
Oyegunle lauded the Lagos state government for the initiative but insisted that states must domesticate and enforce the federal law on the six compulsory insurances, and not just public buildings.
The President, Nigerian Coucil of Registered Insurance Brokers (NCRIB), Mr Rotimi Edu, said that the move by the state would be a plus to the economy of the country if gotten right.
Edu said that when the law is enforced, it will save the government the pattern of paying for compensation when losses occur .
” NCRIB is ready to cooperate and collaborate to let things work , as this is a gateway for us to promote our business and also add value, ” he said.
Stakeholders at the conference include Associations of School Owners, hospital owners, cinema owners , event centre operators, bakery owners and restaurant owners.
They lauded the initiative, but appealed to the state government to ensure that the policy was affordable
They also charged the insurance companies to live up to the expectations of paying claims as and when due.
(NAN)
