The House of Representatives Committee on Disabilities has summoned Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) restaurant at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, over alleged ill treatment of former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel’s son, Adebola, who is a person living with disability.
The chairman of the committee, Bashiru Ayinla who issued the summon during a press conference at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja yesterday, said the panel is committed to engaging with communities to kick start the full implementation of the Disability Act.
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He insisted that key provisions of the Act, such as access to public buildings, employment quotas, and welfare promotion for persons with disabilities, must be enforced to ensure their rights are upheld.
Ayinla, who represents Oshodi/Isolo-1 federal constituency, Lagos State, said the committee would stop at nothing to ensure that those found to have breached the Disability Act are punished in accordance with the provisions of the law.
He recalled that Adebola, a wheelchair user, was denied access to the KFC outlet within the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, last week with the manager quoted as saying, “No wheelchair allowed.”
“We have invited KFC and there will be an investigation which will be based on House rules. The discriminatory incident, highlighted by Mr Daniel’s public account, sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in Nigeria.
“Mr Daniel, a wheelchair user, faced humiliation when he was refused entry to the KFC outlet, with the manager stating, ‘No wheelchair allowed.’ This treatment is unacceptable and goes against the principles of inclusivity and respect and it is a violation against the Disability Act,” the lawmaker said.
He noted that the case of Adebola is one in millions of other unreported cases of such abuses and injustices against people with disabilities, saying this will no longer be tolerated by the governments at all levels.
“The Discrimination against People with Disabilities Prohibition Act 2018, passed by the National Assembly, aims to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities.
However, compliance with this Act has been lacking since the grace period ended in January,” Ayinla stated.
He urged state governments to domesticate the Disability Act, following the lead of Lagos State, while calling on the Ministry of Information to raise awareness about persons with disabilities to foster their inclusion in public discourse.
The chairman assured that the committee will continue to closely monitor government agencies’ adherence to the law, particularly in areas such as recruitment, housing, transportation, and healthcare.