PWDs demand more access, facilities at airports in Nigeria

A group, Coalition of Disability Organisations (CODO) have called for increased accessibility at airport terminals and airlines across Nigeria for People Living with Disabilities (PWD’s).

The convener of the group, Mr David Anyele made the call at a one-day sensitisation program for airline stakeholders in Jos on Wednesday.

Anyele also called on airport authorities and airline operators to make provisions for equipment, personnel and infrastructure that would guarantee a seamless travel experience for them.

“We are worried that in-spite of the passage of the discrimination against people living with disabilities Provision Act, PWD’d still struggle to access airports.

“Air travel is the most convenient long distance fir Nigerians, as such, PWD’s patronise airport services regularly.

“But when we cannot access airports seamlessly, it becomes an issue of abuse, indiscrimination and inhumane treatment.

“We are here to sensitise aviation stakeholderson seamless access to airports.

Anyaele, express gladness that stakeholders in Plateau have identified gaps and are willing to close them by putting in place the required equipments at airports for easy accessibility.

He commended the Plateau state government for giving assurances to make the Yakubu Gowon Airport a 9th level airport which is obtainable in other countries.

Mr Gwantong Isaac, of the Civil Aviation Authority, in a remark regretted that the Yakubu Gowon Airport in Plateau state was not built with the PWD’s in mind.

Isaac said that the airport had no designated car parks, consumer desks for people with disabilities, special toilet facilities, flight display systems, others, to ease the movement if those with reduced mobility.

He advised that airport construction should only be handled by persons that have required knowledge of airport specifications.

A participant, Mrs Kyenan Mizim, noted that adequate equipment such as ramps, wheelchairs, and accessible restrooms in the plane would providr ease and encourage more persons with disabilities to use air transport.

Mizim also called for the end of discrimination against PWD’s in Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary, Plateau state Ministry of Transport, Mr Sunday Pamson, said that sensitisation was very important in achieving the desired goal, hence, has directed that all buses of the Plateau state Transport Service, carry stickers that inform the public on the need for accessibility for PWD’s.

Pamson also called on the state government to implement immediately a 5 percent decrease on transport charges for PWD’s.

He commended the administration’s total inclusion it created for persons living with disabilities by creating a disability commission which is being headed by a woman.