Ben Ujoatuonu, MD/CEO Universal Insurance Plc
BY NKECHI NAECHE ESEZOBOR--In a bid to improve the lives of Keke riders and their passengers in Abuja, Universal Insurance Plc yesterday launched Keke Pass campaign in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and neighbouring towns.
L-R: Head Retail Universal Insurance, Tony Okafor; Managing Director, Ben Ujoatuonu; and Mr, Amadi Reginald, during Launching and Unveiling of Keke Pass Insurance product in Abuja yesterday. Photo:Abdul Musa
The Keke Pass insurance product developed by the Universal Insurance Plc aims at providing cover to Keke riders, their passengers and third party cover road users with varying degrees of compensation.
The product which was launched yesterday in Abuja at the Nyanya Keke Park enables Keke riders to get up to N150,000 in compensation and it is being deployed in partnership with the various Keke unions in Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/ CEO, Universal Insurance Plc., Mr. Benedict Ujoatuonu, said the product became necessary because the conventional insurance products does not take into account the peculiarities of ordinary Nigerians.
“Keke Pass is Keke Passenger Assurance Safety Scheme and it is intended to provide some personal accident cover for the Keke riders and their passengers in terms of injury, death and third party liability while riding their Keke. Beyond the unique benefits this product provides for the Keke riders, it makes it affordable because it is cheaper. It is also very flexible. This is because we are dealing with people in the lower cadre. The product is technologically driven, end-to-end and sold via electronic platform. With your mobile device, you can have access to it.”
“I want to encourage every keke rider in this country to buy this insurance. This is something they are yearning for and now they have the solution provided by Universal Insurance. It is not available from any other insurance company in the country. It is unique to us” he emphasized.
Mr. Ujoatuonu also assured of prompt claims payment on genuine claims.
He noted that the product became imperative because “The general masses believe that the insurance is for the elite and that they don’t need insurance.”
“More so is the fact that the conventional insurance policies that we have were not designed to take care of the specific needs of the ordinary Nigerian. After about one year research to understand the business and operations of the Keke riders, we came out with two products – the Keke Pass and Okada Pass.”
Speaking at the event, the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN) , Nyanya Area Chairman, Bello Abdullahi Kautal Hore, said they will embrace the insurance product and take advantage of it.
He said the product is capable of mitigating the daily risks the Keke riders face on the road.
He urged Universal Insurance Plc. not to default on claims where the need arise.
The Keke unions partnering with Universal Insurance Plc include; the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycle Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria ( TOAN), the National Commercial Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners and Riders Association (NACTOMORAS), among others. The product will be sold via the leadership of the various unions.
