Universal Partners NURTW on Passengers Manifest Scheme

L-R:  Paulinus Offorzor ED Technical, Ben Ujoatuonu MD/CEO, Tony Okafor, Head Retail andTunji Oyebayo, Head Marketing. all of Universal Insurance Plc at the launch of Passengers Manifest Scheme (PAMS) by the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Lagos on Thursday

In line with its corporate objectives to deepen insurance, one of the oldest insurance firms in Nigeria, the Universal Insurance Plc is partnering the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers Association (NURTW) on its Passengers Manifest Scheme (PAMS) project.

With the partnership, Universal Insurance will be the official insurers of all the passengers and drivers under the scheme. The PAMS initiative is designed to ensure that passengers traveling by road across the country have their names authenticated in the union’s digital manifest and are covered with genuine insurance policy.

In case of  accident, passengers who sustain injuries are treated in the designated hospital near the location of the incidence and in case of death, or permanent disability; the Universal Insurance Plc, will pay compensation to the victim or to the next of kin of the deceased respectively.

Speaking to journalists during the launch of the project, Mr Ben Ujoatuonu, the managing director and chief executive officer, Universal Insurance Plc,said his  company will  support the scheme as well as ensure prompt settlement of claims. He  also said the scheme will improve insurance awareness and penetration in the country.

“This scheme is intended to ensure safety on the road and provides benefits to the passengers and the driver in event of an accident. The benefit is in the position of death, permanent disability, medical expenses to both the passengers and the driver in an event of an accident.

‘’For those, who because of the injuries sustained, become permanently disability there is an insurance package by Universal Insurance to make compensation to them. Unfortunately most of the accidents on our roads result to death, in such a situation the next of kin of the deceased also receive compensation from Universal Insurance.” He said.

He advised the travelling public to take a cue from the NURTW and also consider taking up personal insurance policies for themselves and their family members to boost the level of compensation they can get when claim occurs, adding that  drivers and the PAMS operators should ensure that every passenger completes the passenger manifest form correctly so that in event of any accident the details and information concerning them could be quickly extracted and receive adequate compensation that is due to them.

Alhaji Najeem Tajudeen, the president, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), while unveiling the new Passengers Manifest scheme in Lagos  last Thursday, explained that  PAMS is an upgrade from manual to a fully digital system.

He said: “As you would recall, our desire to ensure a uniform manifest scheme for our members and passengers, especially inter-state operators started 10 years ago and we have been working tirelessly with our project consultants and partners to ensure we migrate our current passenger manifest to a more robust, innovative and efficient system.

“As computer and information technology continues to drive business and transport systems all over the world, we cannot afford to continue using analogue system of operations in a fast-moving digitalized world. As the biggest transport Union in Nigeria and Africa, we pride ourselves as a Union that cares not only for its members but passengers also. This is to ensure that all Drivers and Passengers’ information are digitally captured and uploaded on a new system.”

He announced that with effect from August 2019, all passenger vehicles under NURTW are to commence the use of its unified and secured Manifest nationwide.

The NURTW boss also advised drivers to ensure that after the manifests have been filled by all passengers, it must  be uploaded  through text message or internet-enabled mobile devices before leaving the motor parks. Also, required by law, Passengers are required to provide their correct details and those of their Next-of-Kin to ensure easy and fast contact with them if and when the need arises, which is the essence of the Passengers Manifest”.