Akwa Ibom State-owned
Anchor Insurance Limited has declared a dividend of N2.5k per share for shareholders for the year ended December 31, 2012.
This is an increase of 25 per cent over the dividend paid in the previous year.
Its Chairman, Board of Directors, Mr Senas Ukpanah, made the declaration during the company’s 23rd Annual General Meeting last Thursday in Uyo.
Ukpanah said that the increase in dividend payment was in fulfillment of the promise made earlier by the board to its shareholders.
He said that the board and management would work hard to remain profitable and make the company a rewarding institution to investors.
”I am indeed pleased to inform you that the board of directors is recommending a dividend of N2.5K per share, being an increase of 25 per cent dividend.
“This is an indication that the board kept to the promise made at this gathering last year to improve on the dividend payment,” he said.
The chairman also said that in spite of challenges in the industry, the company recorded growth in some key areas.
He said that gross premium increased by 60 per cent from N1.144 billion in 2011 to N1.825 billion in 2012.
Ukpanah said that the total claims which the company paid amounted to N230.52 million against N164.61 million paid in 2011.
“Total underwriting income stood at N1.15 billion in 2012 against N687 million in 2011, an increase of 68 per cent in the period.
“Investment income increased by 95 per cent from N60 million in 2011 to N117 million in 2012,” Ukpanah said.
He said that inflation averaging 12.24 per cent in 2012 was another major challenge facing the insurance industry in the country.
Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Health, Dr Ememabasi Bassey (left), presenting keys of a tricycle to a focal person of the World Bank malarial control programme, Mr Monday Ikon in Uyo, recently. Photo:NAN
