Due to a violation of rules safeguarding the rights of individuals with special needs, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) closed a KFC location at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
The move was verified by a statement issued on Thursday by Obiageli Orah, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection.
The shutdown was carried out in reaction to the outlet’s violation of the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, according to the official announcement headed “FAAN shuts down KFC outlet at MMIA.” Part C, Section 55 of the General Provisions on Discrimination was notably mentioned in this statement.
It is illegal to discriminate against people because of their mental or physical disability.
A Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM) who claimed to have encountered discriminatory treatment at the KFC location on airport property posted a social media report that sparked the shutdown.
FAAN’s quick response to this occurrence demonstrates the organization’s dedication to upholding the law and safeguarding the rights of all travelers.
It read, “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.”
FAAN said, “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.”