By Nicholas Kalu
The House of Representatives on Wednesday mandated its Committee on Disabilities to investigate the allegation of discrimination against persons with disabilities (PWDs) at the country’s airports.
This was with particular reference to the allegation of one Dr. Chike Okogwu against Dana Airline.
The lawmakers said they were informed of the claims by Okogwu, a PWD, that on December 21, 2020 Dana Air barred him from boarding its aircraft after he had obtained a boarding pass, on the grounds that a new policy forbids carrying passengers with wheelchairs.
The committee is to report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
The House urged airline operators to work in collaboration with the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), to provide relevant assistive devices for PWDs at the airports.
The House also urged relevant agencies to provide functional disability desks to ease the sufferings of persons living with disability at all airports in Nigeria.
These resolutions followed a motion on “The Need to Investigate the Alleged Violation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and Private Airline Operators by Hon. Princess Miriam Onuoha.”
The House noted that the high rate of discrimination and harassment of persons with disabilities by airlines is becoming alarming.
It said this portrayed the country in a bad light.
The House said it is a known fact that Nigerian citizens with disabilities constitute one of the poorest socially excluded and marginalized groups in Nigeria.
It also noted that, among the major notable provisions of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities’ (Prohibition) Act, 2018 are sections 1 and 14 which prohibit any form of discrimination against persons with disabilities.
It further noted that in a world where everyone seeks equal opportunity, irrespective of status, it was disheartening that two years after the enactment of the Act, persons with disabilities are still being treated with disdain and discriminated against by the airline regulator and some operators/carriers.
The House said it was cognizant of the fact that disability itself is a burden with its attendant consequences on persons with disabilities, hence the actions of the herein mentioned airline is like punishing the person twice.
The House said it was desirous of ensuring that the rights of persons with disability are not infringed owing to their vulnerabilities.
