By : Ado Hassan, Sokoto
AT a point when farmers affected by recent flood disasters in Sokoto state are counting their losses, Veritas Kapital Assurance , a leading and front line insurance company says it will not waste time to compensate them after taking inventory and assessment of level of damage.
It maintained that being at the front burner in driving the federal government food security and sufficiency agenda through its services for the growth of agricultural production, VKA takes claim settlement seriously.
Penultimate week, several farmers in communities across local governments in the state lost their crops( Maize, Rice etc ), farmlands and houses to flood which also claimed livestock totalling millions of naira.
However, VKA further confirmed it committment to driving agricultural development through responsive insurance mechanism to encourage and sustain massive production of food as well minimise losses from disasters as floods.
The assurances came on Tuesday in Sokoto from Mr Kenneth Egbaran, Managing Director of VKA.
Egbaran made the disclosures at an interactive session with representatives of various famers groups affected by flood in the state.
According to the MD all those affected would be settled soon after he rainy season.
” Farmers affected by the flood disaster in the state would be restored in good time”, he stressed.
Egbaran explained further that We take claim of settlement very seriously. That is why we are here despite the Corona Virus challenges.
“We are committed to ensure your loses are restored in good time. We will take you back to your previous position,” he reassured them.
Though, the Managing Director who along his team, visited some of the flooded farmland at Kwalkwalawa area in Wamakko local government area of the state, did not specify the number of affected farmers and farm lands destroyed by the flood, disclosed that VKA consultants were already on the field to take inventory and assess the level of damage done to each of the farmer by the flood.
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters on the sidelines, the state Chairman of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Salihu Ibrahim said no fewer than 80 percent of their members were affected by the flood.
He described Egbaran’s visit to the state as a booster and source of hope in relieving them of the emotional concerns over the losses.
” Is a good step in the right direction and time by the VKA’s MD. This is the first of it kind ever paid to them by their insurance companies. We are glad and confident with the assurances given”, he acknowledged.
Similarly, Abubakar Danfuloti Tambuwal, the State chairman of Maize Farmers Association, confirmed that about 3000 members were affected. Only not more than 350 escaped the flood disaster
