The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, on Monday said that persons with disabilities(PWDs) will get preference in employments in the organisation.
Danbatta made the promise in Abuja when members of the Association of Physically-Challenged Applicants and Workers (APAW), visited him at the Commission’s Headquarters.
He said that the decision to give priority to the PWDs was in line with the provision of telecom services’ non-discrimination in its recruitment.
Represented by Mrs. Maryam Bayi, the commission’s Director of Human Capital and Administration, Danbatta, assured the association of NCC’S readiness to always support them within the ambit of the laws.
He stressed that the Commission is mandated by the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) of 2003, as well the Consumer Code of Practice Regulations 2007, to accommodate the physically challenged.
“Over the years, we have stuck to these legal provisions. In NCC employ for instance, there are people with special needs.
“We do not discriminate as a Commission on the basis of disability. PWDs are also represented on the Industry Consumer Advisory Forum (ICAF), which the Commission established in line with the law.
“We provide support to this category of people, who are also our brothers and sisters, as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility,” he said.
Danbatta enjoined telecommunication companies to always encourage the PWDs by making it easier for them to access telecommunication services, as well promptly addressing their complaints.
The association’s President, Mr Godstime Onyegbulam, said that members of the organisation needed inclusion in all cadres of recruitment in public and private organisations.
Onyegbulam commended the NCC for having the interest of the PWDs at heart in its operations.
APAW is an organisation composed of physically challenged men and women from across the 36 states of Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory. (NAN)
