Energy Ministry Deputy Director ‘Detained’ In Cubicle In Casablanca By Royal Air Maroc For Two Days

A Deputy Director at Ghana’s Ministry of Energy, Dr. Robert Bobby Mawuko Sogbadji, has had the shock of his life travelling by Royal Air Maroc.

Dr. Sogbadji travelled to Egypt to participate in the just-ended Conference of Parties (COP27) and was supposed to return to Ghana on November 17, 2022.

Sadly, his wish to return on the scheduled date was shattered by the airline.

In a tweet sighted by energynewsafrica.com, Dr Sogbadji narrated how bad the airline treated him.

Describing his bad experience with the airline, Dr Robert Bobby M. Sogbadji wrote: “Royal Air Maroc asks me to pay for a flight to get me home, after they prevented me from going to Accra through delays. It’s a terrible service to passengers, especially from black Africa. No efforts to get me to Accra on time except for their airline which departs in 2 days.”

He continued: “Royal Air Maroc delays my flight to Accra from Cairo and has kept me in a cubicle in Casablanca with a new departure date in two days. I’ve no access to my luggage, no clothing and no items to freshen up. I’m living on burgers and fizzy drinks. The staff do not respect black Africans.

“Royal Air Maroc puts me on a flight to depart in two days after delays in Cairo, hence, miss my flight to Accra. Treatment with no respect because of my ECOWAS passport. Transit service attendant threatened me. Oasis counter kept me waiting for 3 hours, while he went home.”

Meanwhile, the attention of the Ghana Airport Company has been drawn to the unfortunate incident.

MY PREDICAMENT WITH ROYAL AIR MAROC

The return From COP27 through Casablanca was terrible as I’m still here not sure if my promised departure day will be fulfilled.

My flight from Cairo (AT271) to Casablanca delayed for two hours, upon arrival in Casablanca, the Accra bound flight had left. I found a flight itinerary on Royal Air France which could get me to Accra the same day but later in the day, but I was told the cost would have to be borne by me.

The Royal Air Maroc Transit desk attendants had a discussion about my passport, upon realizing that it was ECOWAS passport and from sub-sharan Africa, they immediately printed me a ticket which was to depart in two days. (I know this because they requested for my passport before taking a decision and also unknown to them, I could understand the language they spoke-French).

This meant I only get to arrive in Accra on Sunday 20th November, instead of Friday 18th November. Needless to say that I was checked into fly Hotel by Oasis Lounge of AirMaroc, a hotel with cubicles as rooms. It is such an uncomfortable space to stay for two days and two nights. There are two common bathrooms and toilets to be shared with 49 other occupants.

I had requested earlier to be checked into another hotel which could come with a bit of comfort and privacy but that was declined because I needed visa to enable me get put of the airport. I couldn’t have access to my luggage as same valid visa issue applied. For two days and two nights, I wouldn’t have any means of freshening up. I had to pay for my dinner on the first night since the hotel said it was past time to issue dinner voucher.

In my frustration I went back to the Oasis Lounge counter to reason with the attendant to secure a flight to Ghana through Air France. He asked to sit and wait whiles he checked from the transit office.

After three hours of waiting he never returned till a new attendant reported at the counter to start the morning shift. She told me the male staff I spoke to had closed and gone home. “For a moment I thought to myself, what will cause any human being to treat a fellow human being with such little or no respect.” I had not slept the whole night and fatigued.

The morning shift staff directed me to Service Transit Office still in pursuit of either the next available flight which was through Air France or at least access to my luggage, the officer refused, I tried to register my frustration by dropping my back pack on the floor. The staff of the transit office rushed from his desk to intimidate me and started issuing threats, standing with his forehead millimeters away from mine, questioning why I dropped my bag. He emphasised I had no right to be frustrated. I was dragged out from the office to a counter (nothing short of a criminal being hauled by an officer)and I was warned not to return to the office.

I have never been this traumatised my entire life.

So I resulted to serve my “Air Maroc prison sentence” without seeking any way out, with the fear that it might be nasty.

My little observations: the staff were very impolite to especially dark skinned people. They treated us with no respect no matter how polite and humble you came across.

Nothing you say mattered once you are black.

I’ve had to depend on one sandwich and fizzy drink for breakfast, lunch and supper. May I hasten to add that none of these meals served was and is accompanied with drinking water. You drink water at your own cost. The airport has no other healthy food alternatives even if you choose to spend from your pocket.

For two days now, I’ve not been able to take my medication, attend to my personal hygiene of any form nor changed clothes.

Both staff and service of Royal Air Maroc has treated me badly and with utmost disrespect and I can only conclude it’s as a result of my skin colour and the passport I possess. I can never recommend Royal Air Maroc to anyone. You book that flight at your own peril, if the old aircraft doesn’t kill you, the management will. I survived, you may not.

Source: https://energynewsafrica.com