Aftermath Of #EndSARS: Rehabilitation Of Burnt NPA Headquarters Set To Get Double Funding

LUCKY AKRA LAWAL

Following the destruction witnessed at the NPA Headquarters during the #EndSARS violent protest, the rehabilitation is set to get double funding.

This is coming as the foremost Maritime expert and the President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Mr. Lucky Amiwero, has made it clear that it is the responsibility of the insurer to rehabilitate the building and replace stolen items of the burnt Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA Headquarters building, because it was insured for fire and theft and NPA did not default in its premium payments.

According to information, there were indications at the weekend that the facility, which has a valid insurance cover for fire and theft, would get double funding for its rehabilitation.

The foremost Maritime expert said, “There are classes of insurance but if the losses suffered by the NPA in the incident were covered, then the insurer takes full responsibility for the losses suffered which is the essence of insurance”. 
“Going again to take money from Government is double charge. I don’t want to call it fraud.”

The fact is that once the building is insured, the insurance company takes responsibility for everything; that is the truth, Mr. Lucky stressed.

It will be recalled that when the lawmakers from the National Assembly visited the NPA Headquarters recently to assess the level of damage and loss, they asked the Management of NPA to jack up its 2021 budget to cover for the rehabilitation and replacement of stolen equipments.

Speaking during the visit, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Ports and Harbour, Garba Datti Muhammad, said that members both of the chambers of the National Assembly were in Lagos to assess the level  damage done to the NPA building.

“We have gone round and seen the extent of the damage to the building and vehicles that were burnt in the fire incident. This will help the National Assembly to assist NPA in rebuilding the damage on the torched building. However, part of our discussion with them was for the NPA to bring its budget to the National Assembly because we advised them to adjust the budget to accommodate the rebuilding of the damages,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the General Manager Corporate and Strategic Communication of NPA, Engr. Adam Jato, in his response to questions sent to him online, confirmed that the facility is fully insured by a consortium of insurers.

Though he did not disclose the names of the insurance companies, he disclosed that the lead insurance underwriter has appointed a Loss Adjuster to assess the value of damage and loss NPA suffered as a result of the incident.

Mr. Jato did not refute NPA’s plan to jack up its 2021 budget to accommodate the cost of reconstruction of the building and replacement of looted equipments as advised by the lawmakers.