Nigeria’s Aviation Law Framework for the Prevention of Communicable Diseases: A Perspective on the Ebola Virus Disease

Description

ABSTRACT

Nigeria Aviation Law Framework for the Prevention of Communicable Diseases: A Perspective on the Ebola Virus Disease

Dr. Ismail Adua*

The spread of the deadly disease called Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) to the four West African countries of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria was a major concern to the world. The spread of the disease to Lagos, Nigeria by Patrick Sawyer on 20th July 2014 reshaped social etiquettes, economic and religious activities, and safety procedures, including at the nation’s airports. Various preventive measures were broadcast and published in the media. The preventive and suppressive measures from the aviation industry and the means of transporting the disease to Nigeria have however not been revisited. Therefore, there is the need to examine Nigerian laws on prevention and suppression of communicable diseases. To achieve this, the paper relies on qualitative method of legal research, which includes content analysis of the existing literature and conduct of interview with some passengers. The scope of the paper is limited to Nigeria’s aviation law. The paper finds that inadequate manpower and, with regards to Ebola, insufficient screening equipment are the main challenges. The paper also finds that delay and inconveniences are the major concerns of passengers. The paper recommends the need to recruit more manpower, and injection of more funds to purchase time-saving screening and check devices.

INTRODUCTION
Nigeria continues to battle with the insurgency of the terrorists group, “Boko Haram”, the consequences of which are death of innocent people,₁ destruction of properties₂ and abduction of over 200 Chibok girls in Borno State.₃ It was these heinous acts that Nigerians were concerned with, when on 20th July, 2014, the Nigeria Port Health Authority announced the outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria.₄ It is a dreaded disease, which often cause severe illness in human.

* Ph.D., BL. Lecturer, Business Law Department, Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin

1. Kayode Idowu, ‘Boko Haram kills 45 in fresh Borno village attack’ Punch (Nigeria,15 July 2014) 8; Hamisu kabir Matazu, ‘Boko haram sacks towns in Yobe…bombs bridge, abducts cleric, kill 8…Potiskum mosques bombed, 6 dead’ Daily Trust (Nigeria, 30 July 2014)1 and 5; Kabiru R. Anwar, ‘After takeover of Gwoza, Buni Yadi, Boko Haram sacks army base, Madagali town: Gunmen Patrol streets of Adamawa Freely, 10,000 displaced persons, Resident flee to the mountain’ Sunday Trust (Nigeria, 24 August 2014). It should be noted that the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan stated while addressing the United nations Security Council’s High-Level Meeting in New York that over 13,000 people have been killed in the Boko Haram crisis. See Isiaka Wakili ‘Over 13,000 killed in Boko Haram Crisis-Jonathan’ Daily Trust (Nigeria, 25 September 2014) 3
2. ibid
3. Isiaka Wakili, (n 2); Olaleken Adetayo, ‘I’ll meet Chibok girls’ parents, Jonathan promises Malala’ Punch (Nigeria, 15 July 2014) 10. Note that as at 11 September 2014, the abducted girls had spent 150 days in the captivity of the sect. See Editorial, ‘Chibock School girls’ 150 days in captivity’ Punch (Nigeria, 11 September 2014) 22; Chux Ohai, ‘Fate of missing Chibok girls still unknown’ Punch (Nigeria, 11 September 2014)
4. Note that the disease had earlier been declared in Sierra Leone, guinea, and Liberia before been transported to Nigeria. See Daily Trust, ‘Ebola Crisis: Liberia finds missing patients’ Daily Trust (Nigeria, 29 August 2014) 33. An outbreak of disease shall be declared when a State’s health authority is satisfied that there is an outbreak of a communicable disease that poses a substantial risk to the population of the State OR upon activation by WHO in accordance with the Annex 2 of the International Health Regulation (2005). See International Civil Aviation