Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has promised to ensure that persons with disabilities are accorded all rights and support across the nation’s airports in accordance with the provisions of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act (2018).
The minister gave the assurance when the Executive Director, Centre for Citizen with Disabilities, David Ayaele and his team paid him a courtesy visit in his office on Tuesday.
Sirika assured that equipments and facilities that will aid their movement at the airports would be provided, adding that no form of discrimination and mistreatment on their part would be tolerated henceforth.
The minister further directed all airline operators in Nigeria to ensure that persons with disabilities are accorded all rights and support in the course of their travels.
He informed the visiting team that he was sure that the mandatory five percent 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.
Earlier in his remarks, Mr. Ayaele who led the team, complained to the minister about the incessant discrimination they have experienced across airports in the country.
While calling for the full implementation of the 2018 Act, Ayaele urged the minister to investigate and bring to book, perpetrators of all forms of violence against such persons.
He further implored the minister to ensure that in accordance with Act, all airlines operating in Nigeria ensure the accessibility of their aircraft to persons with disabilities by making available presentable and functional wheelchairs for conveyance to and from the aircraft.
