Why we gave money to Iju residents’

Dana CEO

 

Dana Air has explained why it gave money to some residents of Iju-Ishaga, outskirts of Lagos, where the June 3 crash happened.
 The airline, in an update on its website, said the money was meant to palliate their suffering.
The airline said: “Dana Air would also like to clarify that its gesture of presenting cheques to the families of the 9 ‘severely affected’ residents of Iju-Ishaga, is a palliative measure to assist them in securing the preferred temporary accommodation of their choice. Of the 9 families in this category of affected residents (as per Lagos State Emergency Management Agency classification), 7 accepted the cheques while 2 requested that the gesture be explained. Prior to the gesture of Tuesday, July 3rd, the airline had provided relief materials to all affected residents and, in conjunction with LASEMA, had made advanced efforts in securing accommodation for the families. The decision to monetise the gesture at this point is based on the request by the affected families at a meeting between them and Dana Air officials on Thursday, 28th June, 2012. The company maintains contact with all the families and has given assurances that our Insurers will give adequate compensation to all residents who have been affected in varying degrees.”
The company said it would no longer give daily updates on its website.
It said: “In order to provide up to date information on the status of the ongoing response by Dana Air to the tragic accident of June 3, 2012, the company will now be providing updates to the media, and on our website, on Tuesday and Friday each week.”
On the  insurance payment to the families of the victims, the airline said: “Insurers of Dana Air are sparing no efforts in processing claims in accordance with the law. Cheques are being issued to the families towards interim payment of $30, 000 each, after completing legal verification of documentation and next-of-kin status. Completed claim forms submitted to Dana Air’s Crisis Management Centers (CMC) in Lagos and Abuja have been forwarded to our insurers for processing. We are in contact with all the families and have advised that they visit the chambers of Yomi Oshinkoya & Co, Solicitors appointed by our insurers, to complete advance payment formalities.
“To facilitate the payment process, Dana Air had deployed 3 dedicated toll-free lines, manned by trained personnel, to a Crisis Management Centre in Lagos and Abuja, and public announcements were made in the national dailies and local radio requesting affected families to come forward with details of the Next-Of-Kin, especially those whom the company had difficulty reaching. The airline will continue to provide these services until all claims have been addressed and settled.
“Dana Air appreciates that the statutory payments cannot compensate for any of the precious lives lost in the accident but we hope that it will lessen the pains of the families knowing that they are not alone in these extremely difficult times.
“Dana Air is maintaining contact with all the families, and will continue to offer all necessary assistance to them.
“ Investigations into the cause of the accident are ongoing and Dana Air continues to co-operate fully with and offer all support to the investigating authorities.
“ Dana Air shares in the pains of the affected families and continues to engage the Lagos State Government and the management of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital to expedite the process of identification of bodies, so that the families can lay their loved ones to rest. As per last update from the Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties and the Chief Medical Director of LASUTH on Tuesday, July 3, 2012, more DNA samples have been collected and will be sent to the UK for testing today. We will provide further updates as we get them.”