The Center for Citizen with disabilities (CCD), on Tuesday in Abuja organized a day stakeholders forum tagged Convening on the Next Level Disability Advocacy.
Speaking at the event the Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities CCD, David Anyaele in his remarks commended the federal government for responding to the plights of persons with disabilities by creating the commission. He stated that it is a struggle of over 17 years before the signing the disability bill into law and now a commission, CCD would be committed to supporting and also hold the members of the commission accountable to ensure that the set objectives are achieved.
Mr. Sam Amadi, the former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission NERC, has advised the federal government to appoint competent persons to pioneer the affairs of National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).
The Federal government had recently approved the appointment of executive members of the newly established National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).
Speaking at the forum, Amadi pointed that to get it right, the initial step must be correct as the commission is the only platform where issues affecting persons living with disability can be addressed.
He emphasized that for the commission to have the right effect on the target masses, there must be transparency and justice in the appointment on key stakeholders. He also stressed the need to build a frame work ahead of time in which the commission will operate.
He also emphasized on the need for the Disability group to be unite and speak with one voice in order to successfully push through demands to the commission before any sense of division among Disability group will negatively affect the fortune of persons with disabilities even with a commission in place.
Mohammed Hassan speaking at the forum said that the Organization of persons with disabilities(OPDs) must found out the committee that will supervise the functions of the commission and engage them.
Hassan called for constant engagement with the disability group and the lawmakers for effective policy formulation that will protect the interest of persons with disabilities.
He also urged that appropriate measures be taken to ensure that there is adequate budget for the NCPWD.
He also advised that OPDs and the Commission should work together in engaging the yet to be identified committee that would be in charge of overseeing the Commission to ensure success of the commission .
