The Managing Director of Dana Air, Mr. Jacky Hathiramani, has disclosed that no fewer than 23 of the 125 families involved in the plane crash have received full compensation of $100,000 (N15.5m) as recommended by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO.
Also, at least three of nine families affected on ground by the crash had also received complete compensation while Pastor Daniel Omowunmi whose properties were destroyed due to the impact of the crash had also received additional compensation apart from the $30,000 earlier given. However, the amount of money given Omowunmi was not disclosed by the management of the airline, but the victim confirmed that he had received a proposal from the airline.
The Dana boss disclosed these yesterday during a procession for the victims of the plane crash in Lagos. As at Monday last week, only 11 families had received the full compensation, but the number rose to 23 as at last Friday. The procession started from the Murtala Mohammed Airport Two, MMA2 at 08:35a.m. and moved to the headquarters of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Lagos.
The procession ended at exactly 09:13a.m. Hathiramani noted that over 100 families have so far been compensated in terms of advanced payment, stressing that the balance was being delayed due to various reasons.
Among the reasons, according to him, are the issue of multiple claims, incomplete documents and internal wrangling among the victims' families, but he assured that the airline would ensure total payment of all the victims involved in the crash. He said: "This is the first anniversary of the accident and we are together with all the members of the families and we wish something like this never happens again.
"On the slow compensation, I want to say that this is wrong because over 100 families have received compensation in terms of advanced payment. The balance is not paid yet due to incomplete documentation, multiple claims and secondly, by last Friday, about 23 families have been paid full compensation of 100,000 including the ground victims."
Also, commenting on the crash, the representative of the Ag. Director-General, NCAA, Mr. Austin Amadi regretted the unfortunate accident and vowed that such would not re-occur in the industry. He reiterated the full support of the agency for the airlines and enjoined them to always contact the agency whenever they are faced with challenges.
He said: "NCAA as the regulator of the industry, we appreciate the organisers of this event and we sympathise with those who lost their loved ones. We pray to God that this kind of accident does not happen again.
"The agency will always support all airlines in their endeavours. We are there for them in any problem or challenge they may face." Present at the procession were the Managing Director of Med-View Airline, Alhaji Muneer Bankole; Secretary-General, Aviation Round Table, ART, Mr. Sam Akerele and other members; the Head, Communications, Skyways Aviation Handling Company Limited, SAHCOL, Mr. Basil Agboarumi, leaders of industry unions and associations among many other dignitaries.
National Mirror
Well at least they've gotten their compensation. We thank them for fufilling their promise. It's a good one I must say.