The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has, with immediate effect, closed down KFC facility at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
A statement by Mrs. Obiageli Orah, Director, of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, FAAN, said that this was in connection with the discriminatory treatment received by a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM) at the airport on Wednesday from the outlet.
The statement said that the closing down of the company was in line with Lagos State Law on People with Special Needs, Part C, Section 55 of General Provisions on Discrimination.
The law 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 statement hinted that Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, the Managign Director, FAAN, immediately intervened 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 of discrimination against the physically challenged traveller.
Orah emphasised that the shutting down of the facility at the MMIA, where the incident occurred, was based on the findings of the team deployed by FAAN to investigate the matter.
FAAN also directed the KFC management to tender an unreserved apology, in writing to the affected PRM and a policy statement of non-discrimination written and pasted conspicuously at the doorpost of their facility at the airport before it would be allowed to resume 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,” the statement said.
It would be recalled that Debola Daniel, the son of Senator Gbenga Daniel, was ridiculed yesterday because of his disability by staffers of KFC.
Seunmanuel Faleye is a brand and communications strategist. He is a covert writer and an overt creative head. He publishes Apple’s Bite International Magazine.
