In another success story following the clamour for improved services for Persons With Disabilities, the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Mr. James David Lalu has announced a better service delivery to PWDs while they endeavor to travel by air within and outside Nigeria.
He made this disclosure in Abuja, during a courtesy visit by the Center for Ability Rehabilitation and Empowerment foundation (CARE) today 20th October, 2022.
Mr. Lalu took time to appreciate the doggedness of the Organization in restoring hope to PWD air travellers by working tirelessly at the Disability Desk established at the Airports.
“Today, I celebrate one of our own who, through a bitter experience turned around the narrative to a positive one” he said.
According to him, CARE deserves an award of excellence for it’s significant role in delivering better services to persons with disabilities.
The ES also promised to give the maximum support to CARE to enhance the project. He said some staff including Sign Language Interpreters of the Commission will be deployed permanently to the Desk offices to ease the task.
He further pledged that the Commission will procure more motorized equipments for seamless mobility and boarding of PWDs at Airports.
The Executive Director, CARE Foundations, Dr. Chike Okogwu in his brief, reeled out Assistive measures put in place by Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to facilitate special consideration for PWDs traveling by Air.
“PWDs now have VIP seats, reserved car parking spaces at Airports across the country, “he said.
Chike recounted the experience of Patience Ogolo Dickson, a PWD who was maltreated by Green Africa airline but, later got full refund and a written apology from the airline. He equally informed the meeting that the Consumer Desk is now very active.
“Handlers at the Airports now assist PWDs get on board easily with their luggage”Okogwu mentioned that OXFAM through their Voice Project has been providing ambi-lift, surface elevator to aid movement of Wheelchair users at the Airport.
Another member of the CARE foundation, Miss Ukachi Cynthia, who is a Person with Albinism, also testified to the improved services toward PWDs. She stated that Persons with Albinism are immediately accompanied to a reserved space away from sunlight as soon as they arrive the Airport.
