The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has closed down a KFC outlet located at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
This move comes in response to allegations of discriminatory treatment against a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM) at the airport.
The passenger who turned out to be Debola Daniel, son of Gbenga Daniel, former governor of Ogun state, had posted on his official X page about his experience at KFC, MMIA branch.
According to him, the restaurant had stopped him and his family from entering, stating that “no wheelchairs were allowed”.
“Just as we were about to sit, the lady at the till – who was apparently the manager – called out loudly, ‘No Wheelchairs Allowed.
“She refused to listen to reason and stood her ground that at kfcnigeria Murtala Muhammed branch, wheelchairs and wheelchair users of all shapes and sizes were not permitted in the premises and we should leave immediately.
“I have never been the type of person to make a fuss or complain about my disability.” He posted
Obiageli Orah, director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at FAAN reacting, said the closure was 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”.
She said “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”.
She also said that the MD/CE of FAAN Olubunmi-Kuku, quickly intervened by deploying a management team comprising herself (the Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah), Sunday Ayodele, the Regional Manager South West, Ijeoma Nwosu-Igbo, Ag. General Manager Public Affairs, and Kerri, the International Terminal Manager, 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.
Additionally, the KFC management has been instructed to issue a written apology to the affected PRM and to display a policy statement of non-discrimination prominently at the entrance of their facility before resuming operations.
“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”.
Chioma Kalu
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