Featured Politics News

Groups laud Buhari’s assent to Disability Rights Bill

By Kunle SHONUGA

The Coalition of Disability Organisation (CODO) and the Centre for Citizens with Disability (CCD) on Thursday lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for giving his assent to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.

Mr David Anyaele, convener of the inter-faith prayer session and also Coordinator of CODO, made the commendation in a statement, saying that they received the news of the presidential assent barely nine hours after the prayers held in Abuja.

“I receive with joy the news of the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari to the National Disability Rights Bill.

“I thank the President for fulfilling his promise made on March 21, 2015 as All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate at Lafia, Nasarawa State, during a Stakeholder’s meeting with persons with disabilities.

“Interestingly, in less than nine hours after the inter-faith prayer session, the news of the assent of the President to the bill appeared on national media.

“By this singular act of President Buhari, the reign of discrimination against persons with disabilities in Nigeria has come to an end,’’ he said.

The coordinator noted that the assent was coming one week after series of campaign by CODO, ranging from engagement of President Buhari at “The Candidates’’ town hall meeting through to protest marches, media discussions and inter-faith prayer session.

He also thanked the presiding officers of the National Assembly namely Sen. Bukola Saraki and Mr Yakubu Dogara for their support, while appealing to Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and the private sector to ensure full compliance with the provisions of the Act.

Anyaele expressed gratitude to the media for their reportage and other partners of the centre for their solidarity, adding that more support is needed in the continued struggle of persons with disabilities.

TBI Africa said that the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Muhammadu Buhari assented to the Discrimination Against Persons with disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 on Wednesday.

The Act prohibits all forms of discrimination on the ground of disability and imposes fine of N1, 000, 000 for corporate bodies and N100, 000 for individuals or a term of six months imprisonment for violation.

According to a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by Ita Enang, Presidential Liaison to the National Assembly – Senate: “The Act provides for a five-year transitional period within which public buildings, structures or automobile are to be modified to be accessible by persons with disabilities.

“The Act further provides that before erecting any public structure, its plan shall be scrutinised by the relevant authority to ensure that the plan conforms to the building code.

“A government or government agency, body or individual responsible for the approval of building plans shall not approve the plan of any public building if the plan does not make provision for accessibility facilities in line with the building code.

“An officer who approves or directs the approval of a building plan that contravenes the building code commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of at least N1, 000, 000 or a term of imprisonment of two years or both.

“Discrimination is prohibited in public transportation facilities and service providers are to make provision for the physically, visually, hearing impaired and all persons howsoever challenged. This applies to Seaports, Railways and Airport facilities.’’

Other key elements of the new law includes the rights and privileges on education, healthcare, priority in accommodation and emergencies, and all public organisations are to reserve at least 5 % of employment opportunities for these persons.

It also states that the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities is to be established in Section 31 with an Executive Secretary as the head.

 

Related posts

Naira losses marginally against dollar at I & E window

Editor

Gas industrial revolution as new normal for Nigeria beyond crude oil economy

Our Reporter

Sanwo-Olu signs VAT bill into law

Our Reporter

CBN releases N35.9bn to finance projects under commercial agriculture credit scheme

By Abisola THOMPSON 

NMDPRA urges petroleum operators to comply with regulatory laws

Editor

FG rehabilitates roads to boost agro business — Fashola

Editor