The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has shut down the KFC at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos over violation of the rights of a person with reduced mobility, otherwise known in common parlance as disabled.
Debola, a physically challenged son of the senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, had complained about the ill-treatment meted out to him when he entered the eatery while waiting for his flight to London.
Debola had relived his sordid experience in the hands of an employee of the eatery in a post on his X handle.
The social media post had attracted outrage among Nigerians, including FAAN.
The decision to close down the facility, according FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, followed KFC’s violation of the Lagos State law on People With Special Needs, Part C, Section 55, bordering on General Provisions on Discrimination.
The law stipulates 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.”
KFC, the statement said, broke the law by denying access to a passenger with reduced mobility.
The statement said the FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, deployed a management team, comprising herself, the Regional Manager for Southwest, Mr. Sunday Ayodele; the acting General Manager for 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.
FAAN shuts KFC facility at Lagos Airport
“The authority has instructed that the KFC management should tender an unreserved apology, in writing, to the affected PRM (Person with Restricted Movement) 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,” the statement said.
FAAN has also expressed its unreserved apology to Debola and assured all airport users that it would continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the rights of every passenger are not infringed upon.
Reacting to the development, the management of KFC said it remained unwavering in its stance against bias or discrimination in any form.
The company said inclusivity and respect are non-negotiable pillars of its values.
It said: “However, this recent incident has underscored the pressing need for immediate action. We have embarked on efforts to address the situation and extend apologies and deeply regret the frustration and distress experienced by our guest.
“In response, we are urgently implementing sensitivity training for all our employees. This incident is not reflective of our standards, and we will act swiftly to rectify it.
“We are actively exploring solutions to equip our team members and establishments better to ensure that every guest feels genuinely welcome and that we deliver empathetic customer service that proactively addresses the diverse needs of each guest.”
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