Dana crash victims yet to get full compensation

LAGOS—DANA Air, Monday, said the process for compensating relatives of victims of its aircraft that crashed a year ago at Iju-Shaga, Lagos, was being delayed by problem  of securing grant of probate, otherwise known as letter of administration, by families of the victims.

It plans to commemorate the first anniversary of the air disaster that killed over 160 persons.

According to the air, 65 relatives of some of the victims had gone to court abroad  challenging the mode of the compensation, lamenting that the move had truncated the process of compensation, pending the verdict of the court.

Speaking during an interactive session with newsmen at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, Head of Corporate Communication, Dana Air, Mr. Tony Usidamen, said the airline was facing difficulties in paying  full compensation to the families of the victims of the ill-fated crash of June 3, 2012, due to incomplete documentation on the part of the relatives.

He said: “The delay being experienced in settling all the claims is mainly due to cases of incomplete documentation, multiple claim cases, challenge in securing grant of probate or letter of guidance, as in the case of a minor and some legal representation, especially overseas.

“In spite of all the challenges, be rest assured that our insurer is sparing no effort in processing all the claims in accordance with the law.

“Also with regard to compensation of ground victims, progress is being made as negotiations are ongoing with the affected residents to settle all genuine claims within the shortest possible time and in accordance with the law.”

Usidamen said 11 families had been fully compensated with  $100,000, while 21 more, whose grant of probate just came through, would receive full payment after execution of the release.

He said: “The insurer of Dana Air has made unprecedented progress on payment of compensation. As of Friday May 24, 94 of the 125 families who completed their claim forms have received interim compensation of $30,000, following legal verification of documentation and next of kin status.”