Florence Attah, Programme Officer, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD), has said the slow enforcement of legal frameworks set out to end stigmatization and discrimination against persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria has led to the continued exclusion of PWDs in accessing public services, including accessing airport facilities and services.
Attah made this known during a press conference on ‘Access to Airport/airport facilities for PWDs in Nigeria’ organized by the Coalition of Disability Organisations (CODO), led by CCD in partnership with Hope Alive for Possibilities Initiatives (HAPI) and the Spinal Cord Injured Association of Nigeria (SCIAN).
The coalition expressed deep concern over the persistent systemic facilities and service-related barriers being encountered by PWDs at airports across Nigeria, despite the series of interventions and stakeholders’ engagements carried out in the last two years.
Attah also explained that recent research conducted by CODO on “Access to Airports in Nigeria” across the 6 geo-political zones including the FCT, revealed that PWDs were generally at a disadvantage, deprived, discriminated against, and denied their rights while accessing airport services.
She also noted that through the project supported by the Disability Rights Fund (DRF), CODO has trained and sensitized relevant stakeholders in the aviation sector, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), airline operators, Immigration Service, Nigerian Customs Service and the NSCDC.
On behalf of CODO, Attah called on relevant agencies within the aviation sector to address the shortcomings and ensure full compliance with the relevant laws, including the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act.
The group recommended that “Ministry of Aviation should develop and implement comprehensive accessibility policies and guidelines for all airports under its jurisdiction; FAAN should ensure that infrastructure upgrades and new construction adhere to universal design principles.
“FAAN and Ministry of Aviation should coordinate training and sensitization programmes for airport staff on disability rights and inclusion; National Commission for Persons with Disabilities should facilitate the participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes related to airport accessibility.
“The Ministry of Aviation, FAAN and NCAA should ensure that airports and aviation service providers comply with national law and international standards regarding accessibility for persons with disabilities; Ministry of Aviation should allocate inclusive budgets and resources to support accessibility initiatives at airports, including infrastructure upgrades and training programmes for airport staff.
“Ministry of Aviation should monitor the implementation of accessibility policies and conduct periodic evaluations to assess the effectiveness of measures taken to enhance access for persons with disabilities.”
Furthermore, CODO calls for transparency and accountability from the relevant agencies to address the issues raised.
“We demand regular progress reports on the implementation of accessibility measures at airports and meaningful consultation with stakeholders, including persons with disabilities, to ensure that their voices are heard and their rights are respected,” Attah added.
While CODO promised to remain committed to advocating for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society, including air travel, the group urged the Nigerian government and airport authorities to take immediate action to rectify the systemic barriers that continue to impede the mobility and independence of persons with disabilities at airports across the country.
Traditional members of the project present at the press conference include the President of the Spinal Cord Injured Association of Nigeria, Mr. Abdulwahab Matepo, representative of Hope Alive for Possibilities Initiatives, HAPI, Ms. Ogunbayo Toyin, and other staff of CCD.
Nice report. Well planned and structured