The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Thursday ordered the closure of an outlet of popular fast food outlet, KFC for discriminating against a physically challenged man on wheelchair.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday, FAAN explained that it carried out investigation about a claim by a physically challenged Nigerian. Adebola Daniel who recounted his mistreatment in the hands of the staff of the KFC outlet at the Muritala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja Lagos.
In the FAAN statement signed by its Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah, the agency noted that the action of the fast food outlet violated Part C, section 55 of the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs which provides that “A person shall not deprive another person of access to any place, vehicle or facility that members of the public are entitled to enter or use on the basis of the disability of that person.”
Aside the closure of the restaurant, FAAN also demanded that the restaurant write an open letter of apology to Mr. Daniel.
The FAAN statement reads in part:
“In line with Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, Part C, section 55 of General Provisions on Discrimination which states that “A person shall not deprive another person of access to any place, vehicle or facility that members of the public are entitled to enter or use on the basis of the disability of that person”, the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has closed the KFC facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos with effect from March 28, 2024.
“This is as a result of a social media report by a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM), alleging discriminatory treatment he received at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
“The MD/CE of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi, Kuku intervened swiftly by deploying a management team comprising the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah; the Regional Manager South West, Mr. Sunday Ayodele; Ag. General Manager Public Affairs, Mrs Ijeoma Nwosu-Igbo and the International Terminal Manager, Mr. Kerri, to investigate the allegation.”
“It is based on the findings of the team that FAAN has shut down the KFC facility at the MMA, where the incident occurred.
“The authority has instructed that the KFC Management should tender an unreserved apology, in writing, to the affected PRM and a policy statement of non-discrimination be written and pasted conspicuously at the door post of their facility at MMIA before it resumes operation.
“FAAN uses this medium to express our unreserved apology to the affected Passenger with Reduced Mobility and assures all airport users that we shall continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the rights of every passenger are not infringed upon.”