PWDs Cry To FG Over Increasing Right Abuses In Nigeria Airports

… Demand Justice For Victims

By Matthew Ogune, Abuja

THE Centre for Citizen’s with Disabilities (CCD) have urged the federal government 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.

CCD Executive Director David Anyaele made this demand on Tuesday in Abuja when he led a team of delegation to the office of the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

Anyaele urged the minister to ensure full implementation of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 by eliminating all forms of violence against citizens with disabilities at the airports through implementation of Section 1 of the Act.

Quoting section one of the Act, the director noted: “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.”

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Anyaele further called for the full implementation of Section 14 of the Act which he said provides all airlines operating in Nigeria to ensure the accessibility of their aircraft to persons with disabilities.

“Make available presentable and functional wheelchairs for the conveyance of persons with disabilities who need it to and from the aircraft.

“Ensure that persons with disabilities are assisted to get on and off board in safety and reasonable comfort.

“Ensure that persons with disabilities are accorded priority while boarding and disembarking from the aircraft.

“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.”

He continued: “We need #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 percent of the airports in Nigeria are not accessible to persons with disabilities.

“In addition to the above, 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 person with disabilities constituting at least 5 percent 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 percent of the Staff capacity of your Ministry is reserved for citizens with disabilities.

“We would like 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.”

Responding, the minister promised to prioritise the full implementation of the Act and directed the Permanent Secretary to immediately carry out a staff audit to check infractions in employment.