Tasks Senate, State Assemblies to Follow Suit
All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader, PWDs, Tolu Bankole has commended the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for insisting on the full implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 without further delay.
The House of Representatives during plenary yesterday, July 6, 2023 called on President Bola Tinubu to consider allotting 10% of appointive positions for the physically challenged persons in Nigeria.
This was sequel to a motion moved by Honourable Kafilat Ogbara, Lawmaker representing Kosofe federal constituency of Lagos State. In her lead debate, Honourable Ogbara said that the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act, 2018 was passed into law in a bid to ensure that the rights of Persons With Disability in Nigeria are safeguarded.
“The House further observed that Section 6 of the Act provides that from the commencement of the Act, there shall be a transitory period of five years within which all public buildings and structures, whether immovable, movable or automobile, which were inaccessible to persons with disabilities shall be modified to be accessible and usable by persons with disabilities including those on wheelchairs,” she said.
Consequently, the Lawmakers during the debate equally pointed out that Section 29 of the Act provides that all employers of labour in public organisations shall as much as possible, have Persons With Disabilities constituting at least 5% of their employment.
“Aware that the five years transitory period provided under Section 6 of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act, 2018 has elapsed, hence the urgent need for full implementation of the Discrimination Against Person With Disabilities Prohibition Act in the country for the benefit of physically challenged community as well as the country at large”.
The House also urged the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to direct the Head of Service of the Federation and Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Governments to adhere strictly
to the provisions of Section 29 of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act, 2018, by providing 10% of jobs available for the physically challenged Persons in Nigeria.
He said: ” I thank Honourable Kafilat Ogbara and other honourable members for their bold, timely and articulate intervention which if heeded would change the socioeconomic status of millions of Persons With Disabilities and there dependents across the country.
“Disability is never by choice, and nobody is immune. We are PWDs either by birth, negligence by our parents and guardians, accidents, war, age, disease and epidemic. However, the full implementation of the Disabilities Prohibition Act, 2018 will ensure the economic and social inclusion of PWDs.
“I use this opportunity to appeal to the distinguished Senators in the red chamber and all the State Houses of Assembly to lend their voices to this call to unlocking the full potential of Persons With Disabilities by breaking down the systemic barriers that limit their full participation in society. This is not only the right thing to do; it is the smart thing to do’, he noted.