Asaba: Frontline actor, Justus Esiri, has called for insurance policy for actors in Nigeria, saying acting is becoming hazardous.

Esiri also called on the Federal Government to streamline the theatre arts industry in a way that practitioners could enjoy some welfare benefits in the twilight of their career.

Reacting to Sunday’s death of veteran Nollywood actor, Sam Loco Efeimwoniyeke, Esiri told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that acting in Nigeria was posing a treat to the health of actors.

According to him, actors, when shooting films, work for several days with little or no time for food or rest.

Esiri said, “This work schedule continues well into old ages of actors, making them to work a lot when they really should be resting in retirement.

“The situation is so, because of circumstance in the country, which makes most people, including actors, to toil for living till they drop dead.’’

He charged the actors’ community to urgently corroborate with government for an insurance scheme for their members, adding that it had becoming increasingly necessary in view of recent events.

“I am advocating this now because Sam’s death will reveal a lot about the life of actors in the country.

“We work and work and work till death, with no retirement and no benefits at the end.’’

The renowned actor said that Sam Loco’s demise was a tragedy, because it happened when he and other older actors were needed most in the theatre arts industry.

He said that the late actor was versatile, a rounded professional, who was loved by many people in the country and beyond.

“Sam had a way of hobnobbing with everyone. He loved what he was doing and we all loved him for his dedication to the business,’’ he said, adding “I, personally will miss him’’.

Sam Loco died on Sunday, in Owerri after a post-production session of a film, the “Unknown Prophet’’, which was shot in Port Harcourt under his direction, penultimate week. (NAN)