From Suleiman Amagbor, Lagos
Renowned American fast-food restaurant chain, Kentucky Fried Chicken otherwise called KFC has come under the hammer of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for alleged discriminatory act against a physically challenged passenger who had arrived the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos to board a Virgin Atlantic flight to London recently.
Our correspondent gathered that the passenger, Debola Daniel is the son of a former Governor of Ogun state, Mr. Gbenga Daniel who is currently representing Ogun East in the Senate.
Debola took to the social media to vent his ill-treatment and demanded for justice against KFC, the second-largest restaurant chain in the world, with locations in 150 countries.
Narrating his ordeal, Debola said “I arrived at the airport as normal for my Virgin Atlantic flight to London. I’m a frequent flyer and I’m extremely familiar with all due processes at Murtala Muhammed Airport.
“Today I chose KFC – what a colossal mistake. I entered the restaurant with 4 other travel companions consisting of my brothers and wife. The security personnel at KFC, Samuel, greeted me by name as I’ve been there multiple times. Just as we were about to sit, the lady at the till – who was apparently the manager – called out loudly, “NO WHEELCHAIRS ALLOWED”.
“Our group paused in confusion, before my brother, Taiwo, asked what she meant. She refused to listen to reason and stood her ground that at KFC Murtala Muhammed branch, wheelchairs and wheelchair users of all shapes and sizes were not permitted in the premises and we should leave immediately.”
Reacting, FAAN disclosed on Thursday that it has forthwith ordered the closure of the KFC facility and requested its management to tender an unreserved apology to Deola Daniel.
The airport management agency said its action is in sync with the Lagos State law on People with Special Needs, Part C, section 55 of General Provisions on Discrimination.
The law states inter-alia “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”
FAAN Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah told journalists in a statement that the decision followed a social media report by a Passenger with Reduced Mobility (PRM) who alleged the discriminatory treatment he received at the KFC facility.
The statement affirmed that “The 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.
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.”
