Why results of insurance firms delayed – NAICOM

The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) on Tuesday said it had approved 32 out of 41 firms’ 2016 financial statements submitted to it.

The Head, Corporate Affairs of NAICOM, Mr Rasaaq Salami, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that nine others had queries and the commission was awaiting the response of the affected companies.

He said reports that the commission was delaying clearance of insurance firms’ financial statements was untrue.

Salami said the onus was on the affected companies to reply to the queries raised so that they could complete the process of getting the approvals.

“What do you expect? NAICOM is not a rubber stamp commission. Once the financial account of any insurance company meets the required standard, it will be approved.

“The commission has approved over 32 firms’ financial statements out of 57 insurance companies in the country.

“So far, 41 companies have submitted their financial accounts and out of the 41, 32 companies’ financial statements have been approved by the commission.

“The other insurance companies’ financial statements have not been approved because some have been queries and a response to the queries is being awaited,” Salami said.

The NAICOM official said some of the companies also had the habit of submitting their accounts very late.

NAN reports that some insurance companies had informed their shareholders that they were unable to file their audited financial statements to the Nigerian Stock Exchange because they were awaiting NAICOM approval.

NAICOM is the apex body established to regulate and supervise the Nigerian insurance sector.