Victims’ families to get compensation soon –Dana MD
The Managing Director of Dana Air, Mr. Jacky Hathiramani

The Managing Director of Dana Air, Mr. Jacky Hathiramani, has said that the airline would commence the payment of $30,000 compensation to the families of those who died in the June 3 crash. Speaking with journalists in Lagos yesterday, Hathiramani regretted the accident, which claimed over 153 passengers and crew members onboard, but said that the airline’s insurers, a London consortium, was well advanced in the payment process.


He promised that the first set of payments would be made shortly to the families. However, the MD was silent on when the payment would begin.


It was, however, gathered that the payment would commence in less than two weeks.


Hathiramani said: “Also, urgent steps have been taken by the insurers to identify the families of the Iju-Ishaga community and establish the extent of the losses to enable appropriate calculations of the compensation to be made.


“Dana Air has put structures in place to ensure prompt payment of benefits to families of those who lost their lives in the tragic accident of Sunday, June 3, 2012. Consequently, it has opened three dedicated tollfree lines, manned by welltrained personnel, solely for claims administration and payment procedures.


“Within 24 hours of the unfortunate incident, the airline had set up a crisis management centre at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal II to assist families and relatives of victims with useful information. The airline’s decision to open dedicated toll-free lines is to make it easier for the bereaved to get necessary details on payment of claims.”


He explained that a team comprising Dana Air officials and trained counsellors had been visiting the families to condole with them, as well as to provide information on requirements for speedy payment of benefits to the next-ofkin.


“We do not imagine that this will make up for the pains that you are going through, but we however, hope that this lessens your pain knowing that you are not alone in these difficult times,” the MD added.


He promised that the airline would continue to make efforts to assist the families of all those affected.