May 11, 2021
By: Dadson A. Musa
The home-grown, government owned insurance company, National Insurance Company(NIC) has just made a lump sum payment of Le157,790,136 (One hundred and fifty-seven million Leones, seven hundred and ninety thousand, one hundred and thirty-six Leones, forty-one cents). Eighty (80) personnel are going to benefit from this money according to their dues. This amount was paid out to police personnel in the following categories; death claim, retirees and withdrawals. Most workers who are on government payroll and are paid from the consolidated fund and opt to join any of these insurance companies will have their deductions made from source through the accountant general’s office.
This disclosure was made to journalist at a press conference which took place at police headquarters. Upon verification, claims are paid to police officers who have died those who have worked unblemished and have retired and those who decide on their own not to continue insuring with the company. According to the briefing given before press men this is the third instalments of payment.
Joining these insurance companies is a good thing for ones future, family especially children. But over the years clients are made to go through inhuman scrutiny in the hands of some insurance companies in the guise of ‘making sure the right person is paid.’
Sometimes people died without accessing their monies from these insurance companies after committing so much. In some other insurance companies there are unscrupulous workers who take advantage of poor illiterate families especially those in rural areas and end up either duping them or denying them their due. Payments are sometimes unnecessarily delayed which makes other workers have a rethink about joining insurance companies in this country.
Government must step up and make sure these insurance companies are treating citizens justly in this country as there are most times grumbles by workers. These insurance companies must be regulated by government to make sure citizens are fairly treated. For now we say kudos to NIC for job well done.