Globacom has received applause from Chief Emeka Wogu, minister of Labour and Productivity, as it launched an insurance scheme that will provide insurance cover for members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) against death and disability.
Wogu who was at the launch recently in Abuja lauded the company for its uncommon and unprecedented products and services.
The insurance scheme is called Security Verified Identity Card (SVID), which will provide comfort to families and relations of any NURTW member who dies or suffers permanent disability due to road accidents.
According to Mr. Steve Stretch, head, Glo Gateway, who delivered Globacom’s address at the launch, the immediate family of any NURTW member who dies in an accident will be paid the sum of N1million to cushion the effect of the death of their breadwinner, while a sum of N850, 000 will accrue to the family of any member who suffers permanent disability occasioned by road accident in the discharge of his daily activities.
“In as much as no one prays for accidents, we know that such can happen unannounced. When people die untimely in accidents or become incapacitated through accidents, their families suffer untold hardship, especially where such victims are the breadwinners. This is what Globacom wants to forestall with this scheme”, he said.
Mr. Stretch added that the peculiar nature of the daily activities of NURTW members who are permanently on the road, transiting from one part of the country to another, calls for a good life insurance package that will give hope to their families, should any unforeseen event happen.
“We also believe that family members of the NURTW, like any other families in other industries, should enjoy the basic things of life such as education of the children, feeding, clothing, etc., if the bread winner is incapacitated, or is no more available”, he said.
In addition to this, the SVID card will serve as identity cards and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) code cards for NURTW members.
To access these benefits, Mr. Stretch disclosed that members of the union will be expected to subscribe to the Globacom network and recharge with a minimum of N1,000 airtime every month, using their bank accounts on which the SVIDs have been programmed.
He said the telecoms company decided to institute the insurance scheme in order to make members of the union discharge their responsibilities of ensuring a seamless transportation network round the country confidently with the assurance that their families will be well catered for in the event of any occupational hazard.
Stretch recognised the important roles other partners will play in the initiative and thank them for joining Globacom to improve the lives of members of the NURTW.
SVID is a product launched in a partnership arrangement between Globacom, Capital 3 Limited, NURTW, Skye Bank Plc and Royal Exchange Assurance among other Insurance Underwriters.
In his remarks, Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, national president of NURTW said the welfare of his constituency propelled him and members of the union’s executive council to decide to partner with Globacom on the project.
He said the SVID will also help the union to have a comprehensive database of all members of the union pan Nigeria.
He thanked Glo for this support to power the insurance scheme and promised that all the members will key into it for their welfare.
Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, group managing director of Skye Bank, who was represented by Mr Tope Adewuyi, regional director for North Operations, disclosed that the bank believes that organizational objectives could be attained through the provision of quality, timely and efficient service.
“In this pursuit, it continues to conquer new frontiers in its operating environment and raising the bar of competition.”
Mr. Richard Borokinni, managing director, Royal exchange Assurance, affirmed that claims arising from the scheme will be paid promptly once accidents involving NURTW members are properly documented and referred to the insurance company.