Group Accuses Banks of Discrimination Against Blind Customers
By Naomi Sophy Blog
The Centre for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind (CITAB) has accused Nigerian banks of perpetrating discriminatory practices against visually impaired persons in Nigeria.
This was contained in a press release issued today in Lagos by Jolomi Fenemigho, the Executive Director of CITAB.
CITAB therefore urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) to urgently address the situation faced by visually impaired customers within banks in Nigeria.
Fenemigho expressed dismay over the treatment meted by banks to visually impaired customers in Nigeria, adding that the practice was unjustified and a serious infringement on their right to access banking services.
According to him :”Banks like Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), United Bank For Africa (UBA), Access Bank, First Bank, Polaris Bank, to name but a few, have repeatedly denied visually impaired customers access to banking services thereby trampling on their banking rights.”
The CITAB leader criticized the discriminatory practice among banks, which deny visually impaired individuals access to ATM cards and require them to fill an indemnity form. He described this attitude as an affront to all visually impaired people in Nigeria.
The CITAB boss remarked: “In this situation, I can’t help but question the glaring disparity between a visually impaired individual and an illiterate person trying to open an account or obtain an ATM card. Illiterate individuals manage to open accounts and receive ATM cards, often relying on third parties for transactions just like some visually impaired individuals, without facing any bureaucratic bottleneck. Meanwhile, most visually impaired persons are immediately isolated and forced to fill an indemnity form, whether to open a bank account or get an ATM card at certain banks. This attitude is not only discriminatory but also demeaning. It denies persons with visual impairments the rights they deserve as individuals with disabilities.”
Fenemigho urged the apex bank to abolish all discriminatory policies among Nigerian banks and direct that all banks in Nigeria should treat individuals with visual impairments fairly and justly.
Said he: “Our efforts to persuade these banks to understand our perspective is often futile.” He continued: “We may engage in discussions with one bank today, only to face discrimination by another tomorrow; each introducing new discriminatory policies that entrap the visually impaired in a vicious cycle.” He advised that rather than squandering its efforts on individual banks that appear to revel in their ignorance, the Central Bank of Nigeria should take a firm stand adding that by exercising its regulatory power, the CBN can direct all banks in Nigeria to abolish their discriminatory policies and treat visually impaired customers with the fairness and justice they righfully deserve.”
Fenemigho wondered why the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities has been reluctant to address the discriminatory attitude of banks towards visually impaired persons adding that the commission should be more proactive in discharging its responsibilities.
According to him: “The NCPWD needs to stop dragging its feet and become proactive in its duties. Letters and petitions from individuals and organizations have been written to the commission without response. Petitions by the Nigeria Association For the Blind (NAB) have been filed and submitted to the NCPWD regarding this issue, yet, for reasons known only to the commission, they have refused to act. This inaction is unfortunate on the part of a commission supposedly established to cater for the welfare of the disabled.”
In conclusion, Fenemigho urged all banks in Nigeria to abolish discriminatory policies that impede full access to equal banking, thereby paving the way for inclusive banking. He further advised the management of Nigerian banks to take inspiration from their foreign counterparts which embrace complete inclusion.
