Following the air crashes incidences in Nigerian aviation sector, the Chief of the Air Staff, CAS, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has approved the implementation of a Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy, GPAIP, for the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, personnel. The Director, Public Relations and Information of NAF, AVM Edward Gabkwet, disclosed this in a statement today Wednesday in Abuja.
According to Mr Gabkwet, the policy target was to synchronise it with one of the key enablers of the Command Philosophy of the CAS, which dwelt on, ‘Maintaining a highly motivated force by enhancing welfare and infrastructural renewal.’
Though he revealed several insurance policies administered have been doled out by the Ministry of Defence and the NAF Investment Ltd. covering all NAF personnel, however, it has failed to adequately addresses some hazards and challenges that are being encountered in the course of the careers of personnel.
The Air Force boss explained that there is need to review and implement a specialised insurance scheme designed to address those hazards and unique challenges thus became imperative.
He said when the scheme is fully implemented; the personnel would give their best with the assurance of adequate care as it has now captured all that is required in the event of disability or death during military operations or any form of accident.
He reiterated that the welfare of NAF personnel to him has remained relevant to the attainment of his command philosophy as it is instrumental to boosting morale and contributing to the sustenance of professionalism.
Mr Abubakar said that in the execution of most military operations personnel are exposed to diverse forms of hazards which most are life-altering fatalities, hence, the need to continuously review existing policies to cater for the wellbeing of personnel has become imperative.
His statement partly reads; “The contract with KBC Insurance Brokers Limited aims to provide compensation for bodily injuries, death, disablement, and payment of medical expenses solely and directly caused by accidentals, external, violent and visible means to any of the insured personnel.
“Furthermore, the scheme will provide compensation to the families of personnel who accidentally lost their lives during operations as well as salary reimbursement of the injured personnel to the NAF in the event of hospitalisation.
“The new GPAIP is all encompassing, benefiting personnel, families in event of death as well as covering medical bills, compensation for temporal or permanent disability and death, among others,” he added.