THe National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) on Tuesday commenced enforcement of five compulsory insurance products in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Mr Yemi Soladoye, the Technical Consultant to NAICOM said the enforcement started in Ibadan because of the recent flood disaster which was one peril covered under Occupiers Liability Insurance.

According to him, the Commission has organised training for the enforcement agents to sensitise them of the project and how to go about the enforcement.

”The enforcement of compulsory insurance in Nigeria is statutory responsibility of the National Insurance Commission. What is happening now is the fact that for the first time, the National Insurance Commission is enforcing the various compulsory insurance products in Nigeria so that the affected people can comply and the affected people can also get the necessary benefit.

“And we are starting with Ibadan particularly in view of the recent flood disaster that took place in Ibadan which ordinarily is one of the perils covered under the Occupiers Liability Insurance. So we are starting the enforcement and we are carrying out a statutory responsibility of the National Insurance Commission.”

Soladoye said that the Commission trained the law enforcement agents and let them know what the project was all about and how to go about it. “What we did is to train first, gather the law enforcement agencies. Going by our products, we have about four of them, the Fire Service, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), the Police. We have these people, as the law enforcement agencies that have one statutory role or the other to play in respect of the five compulsory insurance products.

“We arranged a training programme yesterday in Ibadan for all of them and members of the Insurance Consumers Association of Nigeria. So, these are the people who gave them the necessary support and guidance as to the content of each of the products.”

According to him, there will be some arrests and bookings but that since this is the first time in many years they are concentrating on enlightenment.

“There will be some arrest, there will be some bookings and  as far as compulsory insurance is concerned, as far as you have not complied now, you have violated the rules.

It is not something new. It is not something we are just introducing so we say okay since this is the first time this is taking place since 1921, since this is the first place we are starting it, let us concentrate on enlightenment.

He said that the Insurance Consumers Association was principally involved to enlighten violators.