By ROSEMARY ONUOHA

Chief Operating Officer,Alliance & General  Insurance (A&G) Plc says the sum of  N1.2 billion has been paid  to Nigeria College of Aviation Technology’s (NCAT)as claims for its  aircraft that crashed in 2010.

It will be recalled that a plane belonging to NCAT crashed during the process of landing by a trainee pilot, however, there was no causality but the plane, a model, TAMPICO TB9 plane was  wrecked with many of its components totally bruised, including the propeller, the engine, the sliding gear, the fartewells, the wings and the plane curling.

A&G also said it spent over N250 million on one of the Aviation College’s most prestigious aircraft, 5N-CAG that crash landed months ago to be ferried to Denmark for repairs.

He said  that the aircraft is ready; that Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has gone to inspect and will soon issue a ferry-permit to allow the aircraft to be returned to Nigeria.

He noted that the crash is indeed pathetic but “We should give glory to God that no life was lost in the process. Our company is ready to tackle this issue with high level of urgency required being the only training institute for pilot in Nigeria.”

He said “Our consistency in the payment of claims has strategically placed us as a well established and reputable insurance company with high level of integrity and whose word remains her bond.”

Onipede reaffirmed the company’s desire to settle claims, adding that the aviation mishap that took place in NCAT, Zaria will be a thing of history as the company is on ground to fulfil all its commitment.

“It is in our character to face challenges of this nature as it can be seen in our records in the insurance industry.”

He also announced that A&G is trying to restructure its business in line with the standards expected of them in the industry in accordance with regulatory provisions.