BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR–In a bid to ensure safety in public buildings across the state, the Lagos State Government through Lagos State Safety Commission in conjunction with the insurance industry on Monday said it will digitalised the purchase of occupier’s liability insurance in the State
Speaking during a stakeholders engagement held at Aluasa, Secretariat, the Director-General, Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) Mrs. Yetunde Ilori, said Section 65 of the Insurance Act 2003 stipulates that public buildings must be adequately insured ostensibly to cushion the impact and reduce burden and liability on property owners/government.
According to her there is need to support the initiative to achieve the noble objective for which the compulsory insurance act on building was enacted.
She assured that the initiative is not just for enforcement, but to create awareness about benefits acruable from making compulsory occupier liability building insurance a culture in Lagos State.
Earlier, the Director-General/CEO Lagos State Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, speaking on the topic: ‘Stakeholders’ Meeting on Compulsory Insurance [Public Building] for Lagos State Government – Safer Lagos Insurance’, said Lagos State is committed to preventing occurrence of accidents in the state.
He said that the partnership is aimed at changing the architecture of risk management and safety regulation concerning public buildings in the State
“Over the years, numerous accidents and incidents such as natural disasters, building collapses, fires, explosions have resulted in injuries, permanent disability, loss of lives and property without any recompense to those affected and or their loved ones. A recent case in point is the OPIC Plaza gas explosion in Ikeja with the attendant loss of lives and property.
“To protect Nigerians and their businesses from vagaries in the event of unfortunate events and incidents leading to injury, property damage or death, the Federal Government through various Acts of parliament have over the years promulgated laws making seven (7) Insurance Policies compulsory across the Federation.
“However, due to several factors, some of these Compulsory Insurances Laws have not been fully implemented. As such, when dangerous occurrences and disasters happen, the citizenry look up to the government for compensation. It is the determination of the present administration led by Mr Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to curb this trend, the reason for this very important relevant stakeholders engagement session. In focus here, today is the Compulsory Insurance Act in respect of existing public buildings.
“As the economic capital of Nigeria and indeed the sixth-largest economy in Africa, Lagos State has a good stock of public buildings such as schools, offices, hospitals, hotels, events centres, restaurants, cafes, lounges, bars, supermarkets, shopping malls, cinemas amongst others.
“Section 65 of the Insurance Act 2003 stipulates that all public buildings shall be adequately insured ostensibly to cushion the impact and reduce the burden and liabilities on property owners/government.”
On action plan, he said laws passed by the Federal Government need to be domesticated by the various states and enforce them.
He also identified continuous awareness and sustenance after implementation of the compulsory occupiers’ liability building insurance culture in Lagos State as some it’s action plan.
