The Nigerian National Bureau of ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme has reassured its commitment to paying all outstanding and legitimate motor insurance claims in the region to enhance motor insurance coverage across all ECOWAS member-states.
The Chairman of the Nigerian National Bureau, Mr Kunle Ahmed, gave the assurance at the opening of a bilateral meeting between the National Bureau of Benin and Nigeria
The ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme, which operates through a network of the ECOWAS sub-regional national bureaus, was established under the ECOWAS Protocol A/PI/5/82 to provide unified insurance coverage for third-party liabilities, facilitating the free movement of motorists across the region.
Ahmed promised: “I want to reassure you that we do not shy away from our obligations. Whatever is due from us and whatever we can reconcile, we remain firmly committed to meeting all the obligations.”
The industry expert, who is also the President of the Nigerian Insurance Association (NIA), harped on the benefits of the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme, describing it as a vehicle for seamless regional integration and enhanced motor insurance coverage across our member states.
According to him, the ECOWAS Brown Card stands as a symbol of regional cooperation, ensuring that accident victims, regardless of nationality, receive due compensation across borders.
He said: “As we deliberate, I urge us to engage with a spirit of openness, collaboration, and a shared vision for an improved and efficient claims-handling process.
“I have no doubt that our discussions will lead to actionable outcomes that will expedite settlements, enhance synergy between our bureaus, and ultimately improve the operational efficiency of our scheme”, Ahmed added.
He maintained that the decisions taken at the meeting would not only resolve past challenges but shape a more resilient and responsive future for the ECOWAS Brown Card system.
Speaking at the forum, the Permanent Secretary-General of the ECOWAS Brown Card Scheme, Mr Winfred Dodzih, lauded the Dr Raphael Abiiba-led new administration of the Nigerian National Bureau of the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme.
He noted that since the new Secretary-General resumed office, the Nigerian Bureau had been reorganized and making improvement in all areas of the ECOWAS sub-regional insurance integrated system.
Dodzih advised: “We encourage the Nigerian Bureau to keep up the good work; Nigeria is a big country, and it can become a beacon, not just in the insurance but also in this aspect of insurance in our sub-region.”
In his remarks, the Secretary-General/CEO of the Nigerian National Bureau thanked the chairman of the Nigerian National Bureau of ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme and the Permanent Secretary-General of ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme for their support to the Nigerian bureau.
Abiiba also commended the Benin National Bureau for its cooperation as well as its collaborative efforts with the Nigerian bureau in organising a bilateral meeting where issues of common interest in the sub-regional insurance system were deliberated upon and decisions taken to enhance the system.
