The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate alleged discrimination against Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) by airlines with particular reference to the case of Dr Chike Okogwu against Dana Airline.
This follows a unanimous adoption of a motion by Rep. Miriam Onuoha (APC-Imo) at plenary on Wednesday.
Onuoha said the high rate of discrimination and harassment of persons living with disabilities by airline had become alarming.
According to her, it was telling bad on the image of the country as Nigerian citizens living with disabilities constitutes one of the poorest socially excluded and marginalized groups.
The rep said that sections 1 and 14 the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities’ Prohibition Act, prohibits any form of discrimination against persons with disabilities.
“In a world where everyone seeks equal opportunity, irrespective of status, it is 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 and carriers.
“The fact that disability itself is a burden with its attendant consequences on persons with disabilities, the actions of the herein mentioned airline is like punishing the persons twice, which can be described as double jeopardy.
“Informed of the claims by one Dr. Chike Okogwu who is living with disability, that on December 21, 2020 Dana Air barred him from boarding its aircraft after he had obtained a boarding pass, on the ground that a new policy forbids carrying passengers with wheelchairs,” she said.
The legislator who represents Isialambano/Onuimo/ Okigwe Federal Constituency, stressed the need to ensure that the rights of persons living with disability are not infringed owing to their vulnerabilities.
The house urged all relevant agencies to provide functional disability desks to ease the sufferings of persons living with disability at all airports in Nigeria.
It also urged Airline Operators in collaboration with the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), to provide relevant assistive devices for persons with disabilities at the airports.
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The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Ahmed Wase thereafter, mandated the Committee on Disabilities to carry out the investigation and report back within two weeks for further legislative action.
