A coalition of Organization of Persons with disabilities (OPDs) under the auspices Coalition of Persons with disabilities Groups Against Persons with disabilities Marginalisation have demanded their inclusion in Government Palliatives ongoing due to the lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19. The Group have called on government to implement the NIgeria Disability Rights act which mandates government to care and protect PWDs in time of emergencies. See below their full statement released on Saturday 4th of April, 2020.
COVID-19: Persons With Disabilities in Nigeria demands their inclusion in Government Palliatives Nationwide.
We, the Coalition of Persons with Disabilities Groups Against Persons with Disabilities Marginalisation are demanding that The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 should present a clearcut plan on how to provide palliatives for persons with disabilities at this time and they should start immediately because persons with disabilities are the most vulnerable among other social groups at a time like this in line with the UN Treaty that Nigeria is a signatory to that mandates in its Article 4, titled General Obligation, especially, in section 4.3 that: “In the development and implementation of legislation and policies to implement the present Convention, and in other decision-making processes concerning issues relating to persons with disabilities, States Parties shall closely consult with and actively involve persons with disabilities, including children with disabilities, through their representative organisations”
Whilst thanking the PTF on COVID-19 for accepting the donation of Sign Language Interpreters by Sightsavers International, We call on the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Hajia Saddiya Farouk who has surreptitiously left out over 25million PWDs in the palliatives of government coming through her ministry in clear negation of the Nigerian Disabilities Rights Law signed in January 2019 which states in part that:
- The Act prohibits all forms of discrimination against persons with disability. The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has clearly discriminated against us. The law imposes a fine of one million naira on corporate bodies. PTF on COVID-19 should be fined.
- The rights and privileges of persons with disability include education, health care, priority in accommodation and emergencies – COVID-19 is a global emergency.
- All public organisations are to reserve at least five per cent of employment opportunities for these persons. PTF on COVID-19 is not exempt.
Part 5, Article 25 of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 clearly states that: “In all situations of risk, violence, emergencies and the occurrences of natural disasters, the government shall take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and protection of persons with disabilities taking cognizance of their vulnerability”. This has not been done at all.
We demand that the Honorable Minister includes PWDs immediately in her CCT program and no cash payments please as we have traceable addresses, phone numbers, bank accounts and BVN or we order our members to come out enmasse and disrupt the ongoing CCT exercise anywhere. We will defy all government orders and our bloods are ready to be spilt if the government so decides.
You would recall that this Government signed Disability bill into law which provides that at a time like this, PWDs should be first priority, we are surprised that the government is not implementing the same law they enacted and demand that government rise up to their responsibility especially for over 25 million PWDs amongst whom, many of them can’t see, can’t walk, can’t hear, can’t sit or dress themselves up.
We are demanding that government works in accordance with the law of the land as contained in the NIgeria Disability Rights Act.
We call on Mr. President to start implementing the Disability law he enacted.
This is the time to know that signing of Disability law is not political as the opposition has always insinuated.
Finally, we resolve to defy all government orders to stay at home and risk our lives to disrupt the daily Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 Briefing next Monday 6th April 2020. Same shall be carried out at State and Ward levels in states that have no plans for PWDs. Afterall what is life worth living in a terrible nation as ours? Everyone must die someday.
Thank you.
Signed.
Dr. Chike Okogwu.
Interim Convener.
Lady Kemi Ogunjinrin.
Muhammad Bulkachawa
Christian Agbo
Lynda Katai Dung
Isaac Nosa Ehigiator
Ayuba Burki Gufwan
Vivian Odimegwu
Patience Ogolo-Dickson
Biodun Olugbade
Mohammed Bello Suleiman
Comrade Oyedeji Olusegun Abayomi
