The House of Representatives has begun investigation into the implementation of the Person’s With Disability Act by Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs as well as the private sector in Nigeria.
Declaring open a Public Hearing by the House Committee on Disability Matters, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Tajudeen Abbas said that unless something drastic is done, the law will remain just on paper.
Mr Abbas said that “six years after the passage of the Bill into law, many Nigerians, are yet to begin it’s implementation.”
He noted that heads of government agencies believed that the Act which was signed into law in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari was a mere joke.
Represented by the Leader of the House of Representatives, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, the Speaker expressed displeasure on the non implementation of the Prohibition Against Person’s With Disability Act.
He said; “Until something drastic is done, this act will just remain on paper and will not be implemented. Not even 5 percent since 2018 has been achieved in trying to implement this act. This is not rocket science to adjust buildings to make accessibility possible, to give access to persons with disability.
“The Acts protects the rights and welfare of Persons With Disabilities in Nigeria, as enunciated by Part V, which provides for the liberty, right to education, health and first consideration in queues, accommodation and in emergencies. Yet, MDAs are yet to implement the Act even at this moment that we speak. But if this is allowed to continue, it will cause severe damage to our social economic development and further impair our thinking as a people without understanding and the will to do the right thing. I am particularly impressed at the effort of the Chairman, House Committee on Disability Matters to invite all relevant stakeholders to engage the issues and ensure that these engagements translate into action which | believe we will help make considerable and impactful progress.”
He also said there is the need to amend that law to make a fine of N10 million for corporate bodies who disobey the law and individuals N2 million and one full year in jail.
The Speaker said; “Even in our public transportation, there is no consideration. What kind of people have we become?
“We must do the right and I am happy that this taking place. We are open to all ideas. This country does not take this act seriously. We all think it is a joke and something must be done about that. The contribution that persons with disability make to the growth of this country is never acknowledged.”
Speaker Abbas regretted that the contribution of PWDs to National Development is hardly acknowledged in the country.
He noted that the political will and commitment to the implementation was still low, with the National Orientation agency just beginning the educate Nigerians on the existence of the law.
Speaker Abbas stressed that the discrimination and stigmatisation faced by Persons With Disabilities in Nigeria has continued unabated yet the compliance level of MDAs and the private sector to the “Disability Act” has overtime left the challenges unattended.
“Whereas, Section 2 provides for the promotion of awareness regarding (a) rights, respect and dignity of persons with disabilities; and (b) capabilities, achievements and contributions of persons with disabilities to the society. This is hardly being done.
“Even the National Orientation Agency is only just beginning to find its feet and assure Nigerians that the thing exist. The issue of disability can happen to anybody, anytime and anywhere. Nigerians like to pretend and lie to themselves and so, anybody can be a victim.
“All humans have one disability or the other. Even the natural process of aging precipitates all forms of disabilities. It is therefore germane that we take compliance with the law seriously.”
“It is worthy of note that the PWDs are a vital part of our society, they are family members or parents who cater for their family needs, they make invaluable contributions at work place, participate in all activities that involves life.
“Therefore, they should not be limited in their activities and struggle to earn a living, get education and enjoy equal rights. Deliberate support from government and those who have the responsibility to do what is necessary is therefore needed to ensure that the capacities of the PWDs are harnessed as part of the process of sustainable development,” he explained.
The Speaker said; “We all know that the National Assembly passed the Bill on the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 and was accented to by President Muhammadu Buhari, this means that this law in already in force.”
The Chairman, House Committee on Disability Matters, Mr. Bashiru Dawodu said the public hearing was put together to gather information from the disability community especially on the implementation of the disability act.
Dawodu said the disability act provides for the protection of rights and welfare of PWD’s.
“This enquiry will critically assess thematic areas of accessibility, employment, disability inclusion in policy, plans, programme and projects of the MDA’s Of special interest is Accessibility to public buildings and the use of sign language interpreters in the media and all public communications,” he said
“This flag off is also intended to get input from the community of Persons With Disability (PWD) in order to achieve the desired outcome and like the saying goes nothing for PWDs without PWDs.
“The disability act provides for the protection of rights and welfare of PWD’s.This enquiry will critically assess thematic areas of accessibility, employment, disability inclusion in policy, plans, programme and projects of the MDA’s
” Of special interest is Accessibility to public buildings and the use of sign language interpreters in the media and all public communication,” Dawodu said.
Members of the Disability community made suggestions on amendments to the law and called for more stringent penalties on no compliance to the law.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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