IFA urges MDAs on disability act implementation

The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) has urged the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government responsible for implementing the Disability Act to develop policies that will ensure the effective implementation of the Act.

The act was signed into law on 23 January 2019 by President Muhammadu Buhari.

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The Executive Director of IFA, Grace Jerry, made the call on Monday in Abuja, during a round table to commemorate the 2021 International Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPs).

The event was themed, “Leadership and Participation towards an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World”.

This is as she also called for proper funding of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities to enable it touch the lives of persons with disabilities in the country.

She said that the National Assembly should ensure that the 2022 budget of the commission is good enough to make an impact and turn around the lives of persons with disabilities.

She said that this is necessary to ensure effective participation of persons with disabilities in all spheres of life in the post-COVID-19 era.

She said government should engage persons with disabilities in the democratic process to combat discrimination, abuse, counter prejudices and protect their rights.

Jerry said it is also important for government to ensure their inclusion in all facets of life on an equal basis with other people.

She stressed the need for the speedy implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018, to enable the communities of PWDs deploy their huge potentials, values and talents to the development of the country.

“We call on all DPOs, PWDs, other Nigerian citizens and the international community to support the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities in implementing policies that would help PWDs cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We call on all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) responsible for implementing the Disability Act to develop policies that will ensure the implementation of the Act. We urge the government to develop a PWD emergency national action plan to respond to the needs of PWDs during the pandemic and beyond,” Jerry said.

In his keynote, Executive Director, OJA Development Consult, Mr. Jide Ojo, said the way forward is for Nigeria to ensure effective participation of PWDs in politics and governance.

He said that there is also the need to pay prime attention to the faithful implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act.

He said that the NCPWD should be well financed to enable it perform its core mandate optimally.

On his part, Programme Director, National Democratic Institute (NDI), Mr. Bem Aga, assured that the institute would continue to support the campaign on the plight of PWDs in all sectors of national development.

Aga said the NDI would sustain the push for the implementation of the disability Act.

Also, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Mr Bashir Alkali, said the international day of PWDs is to bring to the fore, the need for inclusive, accessible and sustained action with regard to PWDs in the nation’s development agenda.