by Chris Agbo,
Centre for Citizen’s with Disabilities (CCD) have called on the government to look into and investigate the increasing incidents of human rights violations against persons with disabilities by airline operators with the view of bringing perpetrators to book in line with the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
The Executive Director of CCD, Mr. David Obinna Anyaele in his statement during an advocacy visit with his team to the Minister of Aviation , Hadi Sirika on Tuesday in Abuja advocated for this.
The group urged the Minister to ensure the full implementation of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 by doing the following:
“To speedily investigate the increasing human rights violations against citizens with disabilities by airline operators in Nigeria with the view of bringing perpetrators to book”.
“Elimination of all forms of violence against citizens with disabilities at the airports through implementation of Section 1:A person with disability shall not be discriminated against on the ground of his disability by any person or institution in any manner or circumstance whatsoever”.
He demanded for the full implementation of Section 14 of the Act which provides as follows:
1) All airlines operating in Nigeria shall ―
(a) ensure the accessibility of their aircraft to persons with disabilities;
(b) make available presentable and functional wheelchairs for the conveyance of persons with disabilities who need it to and from the aircraft;
(c) ensure that persons with disabilities are assisted to get on and off board in safety and reasonable comfort;
(d) ensure that persons with disabilities are accorded priority while boarding and disembarking from the aircraft.
(2) All airports shall make available for the conveyance of persons with disabilities who need it to and from the aircraft, a presentable and functional assistive and protective device.
The group emphasized the need for #Accessible Airports, in line with the provisions of sections 4 and 5 of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, in particular mobile wheelchair lifters in all our airports across the Federation for easy access to and from aircraft, as more than 95% of the airports in Nigeria are not accessible to persons with disabilities.
The group also urge the minister to implement section 28 and 29 of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act which provides for right to work and opportunity for employment. In fact, section 29 provides that all employers of labour in public organisations shall as much as possible have persons with disabilities constituting at least 5% of their employment.
“We are requesting that you use your influence to ensure that an audit of your Ministry Staff strength is conducted to ensure that 5% of the Staff capacity of your Ministry is reserved for citizens with disabilities” they added.
They offered to partner with the Federal Ministry of Aviation to build the capacity of Senior Ministry officials on the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018. This is to enhance the full implementation of the Act and service delivery of the Ministry on persons with disabilities.
The minister in his response, promised to prioritize the full implementation of the Act and directed the Permanent Secretary to immediately carry out a staff audit to check infractions in employment to reflect the 5% staff capacity in line with the act.
Watch the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika response:
