Enforce Disabilities Act In Aviation Sector, Reps Urge NCAA

The House of Representatives Committee on Disabilities has charged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to enforce fully the provisions of the Nigerians with Disabilities Act, 2018 in the aviation industry.

Chairman of the House Committee on Disability Matters, Dr. Bashiru Dawodu gave the charge on Wednesday during the committee’s oversight visit to the corporate headquarters of the NCAA in Abuja.

He said the NCAA as the aviation regulator has the mandate to regulate the provisions of the Act amongst sister agencies, the airlines and other operators in the industry, noting that “You are responsible for the enforcement of PWD regulation in the aviation industry.”

Dr. Dawodu lauded the NCAA’s efforts thus far to significantly comply with the provisions of the Act as regards to employment, support to disability causes and accessibility.

The director-general Civil Aviation (DGCA) Nigeria, Capt. Chris Najomo, represented by the director, operations, licensing and training (DOLT) Capt. Donald Tonye Spiff said the Authority under his watch is nondiscriminatory.

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He explained that aside from employing persons with disability, the NCAA has audited its buildings, making corrective measures where necessary to aid access for the persons with disabilities.

Also commenting at the event, the director of public affairs and consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu reiterated that the Authority is deliberate about inclusiveness on disability matters adding that a risk assessment had been done and the implementation is ongoing.

He said the NCAA, since Capt. Najomo came on board and has deliberately taken into account the concerns of persons with disability (PWD) and has variously supported programmes of PWDs based on his people-oriented policies.

It should be noted that the committee has jurisdiction to oversee compliance on discrimination against Persons with disability (PWD) as stipulated in the 2018 Act, which provides for inclusion in employment, accessibility, rehabilitation, special and protection of PWDs in programmes, projects and annual budget.