Follow Us on Google
From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
House of Representatives has resolved to probe the violation of consumer rights by airline operators in the country.
Consequently, the House mandated its Committee on Human Rights to undertake the the probe and report back to it for further legislative actions.
This followed the adoption of a motion by Karu Elisha and Taiwo Oluga, on the “Need to Investigate the Flagrant Violation of Consumer Rights by Airline Operators in Nigeria”, at Tuesday’s plenary.
Elisha, in the motion, informed the House that there have been several abuses of consumer rights by airlines, especially in the areas of flight delays and cancellation without compensation to passengers.
He noted that there is need for the protection of the rights of consumers
by the Consumer Protection Department under the Directorate of Air Transport of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) launched on March 2001.
According to him, “despite interventions in reviewing airfare charges and government to cushion the effects yet, the airfare charges and travel disruption have continued to increase daily.
“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 unreserved duty of care to Nigerians and other customers the responsibility to penalize and restrict any service provider who violates established protocols;
“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.
“The inconsistency of air travel schedules due to sudden delay, cancellations and other airlift service provision, consumers are shortchanged in their businesses, health conditions and social and economic ventures without due compensation”.
