Paschal Emeka, Abuja
The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Human Rights to investigate the violation of the rights of Nigerians by Airline operators in the country.
This is the sequel to a Motion of Urgent Public Importance raised at plenary on Tuesday by Hon. Karu Simon Elisha and Hon. Taiwo Oluga.
The title of the Motion is: ‘Need to Investigate the Flagrant Violation of Consumer Rights by Airline Operators in Nigeria.’
The lawmakers while presenting the motion noted that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Act was established to promote and protect the interest of consumers over all products and services among others.
They further noted that Nigerians and other consumers have the right to be protected by the Consumer Protection Department under the Directorate of Air Transport of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) launched on March 2001, to ensure that aviation customers get the best services in the transportation.
“Aware that the department was established to serve as the eye of the industry responsible for informing, educating, and protecting consumers and ensuring the provision of quality services in the aviation sector.
Also, aware of the challenges confronting the aviation sector despite interventions in reviewing airfare charges being tolerated by both consumers and the government to cushion the effects yet, the airfare charges and travel disruptions have continued to increase daily.
“Further aware that airlines authority have a duty to provide airline customer assistance and services to ensure that air passengers get a conducive environment, promote and protect consumer interest and healthy competition among airline service providers, the authority also has an unreserved duty of care to Nigerians and other customers the responsibility to penalize and restrict any service provider who violates established protocols.
“Worried that the continuous complaints and outcry by Nigerians and other air passengers have become alarming with the consistent violation of passenger rights to service delivery by airline service providers.
“Concerned that the inconsistency of air travel schedules due to sudden delay, cancellations, and other airlift service provisions, consumers are shortchanged in their businesses, health conditions, and social and economic ventures without due compensation.
The House, however, resolved to mandate the Committee on Human Rights to investigate the violation of the rights of Nigerians and other passengers to quality air travel services in Nigeria.