Group urges FG to establish Disability commission, implement Act fully

* Commends NASS for gazetting the Disability Act

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has called on the federal government to implement fully the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act and establish the “National Commission for Persons with Disabilities as provided in part 7, section 31 of the National Disability Act.”

In a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos and signed by its Executive Director, David O. Anyaele, the group also commended the leadership of the National Assembly for gazetting the National Disability Act.

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It would be recalled that the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act was signed on January 23, 2019 by President Muhammadu Buhari after a protracted campaign by civil society organisations of persons with disabilities in Nigeria.

The group stated that the passage of the Disability Bill into an Act is in fulfilment of Nigeria’s obligation to the international community and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

It urged the government to show more commitment to ensure that the purpose of the Disability Act which is for the full integration of persons with disabilities into the society is attained.

“We call on the Federal Government to take urgent actions to ensure the implementation of the National Disability Act. The first step expected from the government is the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities as provided in part 7, section 31 of the National Disability Act.

“We call on the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture to take urgent action to ensure the full implementation of part 1, section 2 of the Act which provides that the Ministry shall make provisions for promotion of awareness regarding – the rights, respect and dignity of persons with disabilities; capabilities, achievements and contributions of persons with disabilities to the society.

Daily Trust reports that the Disability Act is now part of laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and could be sited at any court of law in the country.

The Act also allows the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities; and vests the commission with the responsibilities for the education, health care, social, economic and civil rights of persons with disabilities.