President Yar’Adua
Orders Investigation Of Maltreatment Of Nigerians By Foreign
Airlines
Nigerian
President Umaru Yar’Adua has directed the Minister of State for
Transportation in charge of Aviation, Mr. Felix Hyatt, to
investigate reports of maltreatment of Nigerian passengers by
foreign airlines.
Reports say the President, was particularly miffed at an
incident that took place on March 27, 2008, in which British
Airways allegedly ordered over 100 Nigerians off its
London–Lagos bound flight.
The passengers were reportedly protesting the brutal treatment
of a Nigerian deportee aboard the flight.
President Yar’Adua also directed the Aviation Minister to
officially notify all foreign airlines operating in the country
that the Federal Government would no longer tolerate the
maltreatment of Nigerian passengers aboard their aircraft.
President Yar’Adua also expressed disgust at the nonchalant
attitude of British Airways officials in response to the
incident.
The President, it was learnt, also asked the minister to furnish
him with a report of the development on the completion of the
investigation.
Reports say the President had so far not received any official
report on the British Airways incident, and was only informed by
reports in the media.
The President is said to be concerned by the recent resurgence
of complaints about the poor treatment, discrimination and
downright abuse meted out to Nigerians by some foreign airlines
operating in the country.
The President has also directed the Minister to make it
absolutely clear to all foreign airlines operating in Nigeria
that under no circumstance will his administration tolerate the
subjection of Nigerian passengers to less than acceptable
standards of treatment.
NP/MICHAEL
