News In Northern Region (496)
NICO Life To Settle K3 Billion Death Claims By This December
NICO Group of Companies says it estimates that by December this year its subsidiary company NICO Life will have paid off in excess of K3 billion from K800million, last year to its life insurers.
Group Managing Director, Vizenge Kumwenda has attributed the increase to a number of deaths due to the covid 19 pandemic.
Kumwenda disclosed this when the company celebrated its 50 years Anniversary in Mzuzu.
``Although most people are hesitant to be under any insurance policy, the company will keep providing awareness on the need of a life insurance cover so that insurers relations have a backup plan in case death strikes,” says Kumwenda.
It is reported that as of August this year, NICO life has paid off K1.8 billion from death claims and that by December this year the company estimates that it will pay out K3 billion.
Said Kumwenda: ``The uptake of insurance, in general, is very low in the country. I think it’s below 3% of GDP which is very low. But I must also mention that perhaps it’s not just insurance but general financial services, the uptake is not where we would want to be’
Saint John of God Hospital services Director, Dr. Charles Masulani Mwale has applauded NICO group for reaching put to people in times of need citing the Covid-19 insurance companies in the country, especially in a time when most people have been affected by the coronavirus and could use help from insurance companies.
`‘The awareness that they are giving is quite good. For example, our institution has most of our property like vehicles insured with them. But apart from that, they are providing financial literacy inputs to our members of staff” says Mwale.
NICO Group of companies was founded in 1971 and this year marks 50 years of its existence where it has managed to grow and set subsidiary companies such as NICO GENERAL, Nico life, Nico Assets, NBS bank just to mention a few.
MHRC Moves In On Alleged Chitipa Police Brutality Case
The Malawi Human Rights Commission has commenced investigations in a case of alleged police brutality where Leonard Mkumbwa of Chitipa is accusing the law enforcers in the district of assaulting him with a hot pressing iron in September this year.
Police Nets 7 For Killing Biological Father
Police in Karonga has arrested seven people in Karonga on allegations that they killed a 63-year-old man based on witchcraft accusations.
Construction of Mzuni Library should resume - NCIC Ordered
Government has ordered the National Construction Industry Council of Malawi to temporarily lift a ban it imposed on China State Engineering Construction Cooperation Limited that stopped construction works of the Mzuzu University Library for not meeting some construction guidelines.
Deputy Minister of Transport and Public Works, Nancy Chaola Mdoko says the relief has been considered following the stage at which the project is and the impending rainy season which can affect the progress.
``With the project at an early stage, foundation, can you temporarily lift the stop order to allow China State Engineering Construction Cooperation Limited to commence with their work on the foundations. We are near rain season which can affect the stage,” ordered Mdoko.
The Council halted construction works on basis that the Beijing - based company working on the project did not subcontract 30 percent of works to local contractors.
The order follows, a request by China State Engineering Construction Cooperation Limited Project Manager at Mzuzu University site, Wang Qiang who wrote Ministry of Transport and Public Works requesting it to temporarily lift the order as they are in discussion with local companies that were Sub Contracted for the project.
Requested Qiang: ``We would like to have sixty days for construction, while we are finalizing agreements with other Sub Contractors.
Council's Acting Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Gerald Khonje could neither confirm nor deny the developments but asked for a questionnaire which he is yet to respond to.
Government and its partners have invested about K7 billion for the construction of the Mzuzu University Library.
MoU to Address Concerns of Vendors in Mzuzu
A grouping under the banner Malawi Union for Informal Sector has expressed disappointment over failure by local councils to accommodate vendors' concerns.
Man Gets 14 Years For Armed Robbery
Joseph Kainga will spend the next 14 years in jail for robbing two foreign priests at one of the lodges in Karonga.
Health Centre Stays Idle For 5 Yrs in Karonga
Despite government policy stating that people should access health services within a walkable distance, the situation is different to the people of Thawiro as they have to travel a distance of over 10kms in search of health services to Nyungwe health centre.
Rights Body Ask President Chakwera to Pardon a Prisoner
Center for Human Rights Education, Advice, and Assistance has written President Lazarus Chakwera asking him to pardon a 19-old inmate at the Mzuzu Prison so that he continues with his education at the Mzuzu University after being selected to pursue his studies there.
Nkhatabay Sheikh arrested for Allegedly Trafficking 50 Children
Police in Nkhatabay have arrested self-acclaimed Sheikh on suspicion that he trafficked 50 children, from Salima to Mpamba in the district.
Decentralize Tourism Sector for Results- Government Told
A Mzuzu University-based tourism expert has warned that the country’s tourism sector may collapse due to several governance issues the sector is facing.
