The House of Representatives Committee on Disability Matters has appealed to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to implement the provisions of the Nigerians with Disabilities Act 2018 in the aviation industry.
According to a statement signed by the Authority, the Chairman of the committee, Bashiru Dawodu, who made the call during an oversight visit to the NCAA’s headquarters in Abuja, charged the authority to ensure that the Act is fully enforced, saying it has the mandate to regulate compliance among sister agencies, airlines, and other operators in the industry.
The committee, which oversees compliance with the Act, commended the NCAA for its efforts so far in implementing the provisions, particularly in employment, support to disability causes, and accessibility.
Dawodu lauded the NCAA’s determination to comply with the Act, which provides for inclusion, accessibility, rehabilitation, and protection of persons with disabilities in programmes, projects, and annual budgets.
The NCAA’s Director General, Captain Chris Najomo, represented by Captain Donald Tonye Spiff, assured the committee that the authority is nondiscriminatory and disability-friendly, having employed persons with disabilities and audited its buildings to ensure accessibility.
He said, the authority has also conducted a risk assessment and is implementing measures to address any challenges.
The NCAA’s efforts to promote inclusiveness have been commended by the committee, with the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, reiterating the authority’s commitment to disability matters.
According to him, the NCAA has supported various programmes for persons with disabilities, reflecting its people-oriented policies.
The meeting provided an opportunity for different directorates of the authority to brief the committee on their compliance levels with the Disability Act, demonstrating the NCAA’s commitment to implementing the provisions and promoting inclusiveness in the aviation industry.
