By Mercy Aikoye
The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD) has called on the Federal Government and its agencies to fully implement the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, saying poor enforcement continues to deny millions of Nigerians with disabilities equal access to opportunities and public services.
The National President of JONAPWD, Mr. Abdullahi Usman, made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja during the inauguration of an accessible toilet facility and corridor handrails at LEA Primary School, Karomajigi, a project supported by the Ford Foundation.
Usman said that although the disability law was enacted and signed into law in 2018, compliance by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) remains weak.
“The law is already in place. Our major challenge is implementation. Many ministries, departments and agencies are yet to fully comply with the provisions of the Act,” he said.
He urged ministers, permanent secretaries, directors-general, executive secretaries and heads of government agencies to enforce the law to ensure that persons with disabilities enjoy the same fundamental human rights as other Nigerians.
According to him, the school accessibility project, implemented in Plateau, Osun, Oyo, Edo, Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), demonstrates that creating inclusive learning environments is both achievable and necessary.
Usman said the project was designed to improve access, safety and mobility for pupils with disabilities, enabling them to participate fully in school activities alongside their peers.
He called on governments at the federal, state and local levels to replicate similar projects in schools across the country.
“The purpose of this project is to show that inclusion is possible. We want governments at all levels to recognise the needs of persons with disabilities and provide accessible infrastructure in public schools.
“Here in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), this is just one school. We are appealing to the AMAC Chairman to replicate this initiative in all schools within the council so that every child, regardless of disability, can access quality education without barriers,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the Acting Headmaster of LEA Primary School, Karomajigi, Mr. Shaibu Ahmed, said no fewer than 250 pupils would benefit from the new facilities.
Ahmed expressed appreciation to JONAPWD and the Ford Foundation for the intervention, describing it as a long-awaited development.
“On behalf of the management, staff and pupils, I sincerely thank the donors for this remarkable project. It is like a dream come true. We have had people promise support in the past without any results, so this intervention means a great deal to us,” he said.
He, however, appealed for further assistance, noting that the school also requires a new perimeter gate, classroom windows and additional desks to improve the learning environment for pupils.
