By Daniel Tyokua
The National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD) has called on strategic stakeholders in the country not to forget the implementation of disability Act slated to commence in January, 2024.
Executive Secretary National Commission for Persons With Disabilities, James Lalu made the call during the 2023 International day of persons with disabilities in Abuja.
He said the Act which was signed by former president Muhammadu Buhari, is to stop all discriminations against persons with disabilities at all levels across the country.
Lalu said all buildings that cannot be accessed by persons with disability should be made accessable effect from January 17, 2024.
The Executive Secretary, who described the 2023 celebration day as a beautiful development for the persons with disability, said members of the Commission will remain committed to creating the necessary awareness about the right and dignity of persons with disability.
He commended the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management for always given 10 per centre intervention to persons with disability whenever the need arises.
Lalu said: “It is not going to be as it used to be because we are drawing the attention of everyone in the country for proper enforcement against the discrimination of persons with disability in Nigeria, the provision of the Act is expected to start on January 17, 2024.
“”Every Public building that is not accessable for persons with disability is expected to be made accessable before the time.
“The disability community already have a godfather, the godfather is the National Commission for Persons with disability, we want to tell everyone that the discrimination against persons with disability must be brought to an end.
“There should be no discrimination against persons with disability, we have assemble of lawyers, we have assemble and protection of security agencies in Nigeria to bring to an end the discrimination”
He appreciated President Bola Tinubu for protecting the right of persons with disability by signing the African Union protocol and disability bill.
According to him, “it will provide an opportunity for persons with disability, we will provide leadership support for Nigeria and African region which has given the disability persons the opportunity we will provide leadership of Africa”
On his part, Abdullahi Usman, the National president Joint National Association of Persons with Disability, said the Act would help persons with disability share shoulder with non disability persons.
In his remarks, Musa Musa, secretary of National Association of persons with physical disability FCT chapter, said despite the commitment of the government and the commission, more needed to be done.
He commended president Tinubu for appointing one of their members which according to him, speaks volume to the implementation of the Act.
“We need more representation in different government MDAs, we have the ability to also lead, so our expectation is that the 36 state governors should find it necessary to appoint more of our members”
