Persons living with disabilities must not be discriminated against and must be given their rights and support.
This order was given by Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, to airline operators in Nigeria in a meeting with the Executive Director, Centre for Citizen with Disabilities, David Ayaele, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Minister had said their rights and privileges are in accordance with the provisions of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act.
According to the Minister, the FG would provide airports equipment and facilities that will help the movement of persons with disability at the airports, adding that no form of discrimination and mistreatment of persons with disabilities at the nation’s airports would be tolerated henceforth.
Sirika said: “All airline operators in Nigeria to ensure that persons with disabilities are accorded all rights and support in the course of their travels.”
He also said the Centre for Citizen with Disabilities 5% employment quota enshrined in the Disability Act has been surpassed, as the Ministry and its agencies do not have any record of discrimination against people with disabilities.
The Executive Director Centre for Citizen with Disabilities, Mr. David Obinna Ayaele, urged the Hon. Minister to speedily investigate the increasing human rights violations against citizen with disabilities by airlines operators in Nigeria.
Anyaele also appealed to the Minister to ensure that in accordance with the Act, all airlines operating in Nigeria ensure the accessibility of their aircraft to persons with disabilities by making available presentable and functional wheelchairs for the conveyance of such persons.
It would be recalled that some days ago the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, directed the National Broadcasting Commission to implement the Broadcasting Code provision that mandates television stations to deploy sign language interpreters on their major news bulletin, for the benefit of persons living with disability.
This is in the wake of an incident of harassment of a disabled passenger at the airport which drew widespread criticisms.
