The National Insurance Commission has commenced the enforcement of the five major compulsory insurance policies in the country, beginning from Ibadan, Oyo State on Tuesday. The commission did this with the support of law enforcement agencies in the country.The commission also noted that many people, who were approached by the enforcement team had shown willingness to take the policies, most especially the insurance cover, for all road users.The compulsory insurance policies being enforced include Occupiers Liability, builders liability, group life assurance, professional indemnity and third party motor insurance.After the enforcement that started in Ibadan, NAICOM said that it would take the enforcement implementation to other states of the federation.Since 2008, when the policies were first introduced in Abuja and later taken to other states, the commission had only been sensitising the populace to the benefits, before full enforcement started on Tuesday. Technical Consultant, NAICOM, Mr. Yemi Soladoye, said that the commission was working with different law enforcement agencies, and that many people had shown willingness to take the policies.He said, "The fire brigade, the FRSC, the Nigerian Police, the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria and members of Consumers Insurance Association of Nigeria, led different groups to enforce the policies on those required to take them."Soladoye noted that many motorists in possession of fake insurance papers, who were stopped by the enforcement agencies, demanded to buy the genuine cover.'''According to him, a training programme was arranged for the stakeholders to equip the enforcement team.He said that NAICOM was not only concentrating on the implementation, but also on enlightening the public on the immense benefits contained in the statutes.Due to the large coverage of motorists, he noted that a larger number of the enforcement officials were assigned to the third party motor insurance group.He said that the motorists were served with the list of the registered insurance companies and their logo, for them to get familiar with the firms.Soladoye noted that the laws were not new, adding that any default to take them was an offence that would attract penalties.The Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel, said that before the compulsory policies were taken to any states, the commission would put in place an enforcement body and a project implementation team, which comprises the stakeholders, the police, the fire brigade, road safety, those in charge of building and other stakeholders.He said, "We also include the insurance practitioners who are the ultimate beneficiary to ensure that they put in place a structure that will enhance services to the insuring public."
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