The National Commission for Persons With Disabilities has announced 9 Disability – inclusive policies that will serve as a guide to the general public in relating with Persons With Disabilities in Nigeria.
Speaking at the maiden edition of the Task team on disabilities recently inaugurated by the Executive Secretary, Mr James David Lalu, the team leader and the Director Enforcement and Compliance Department of the Commission Barrister Ikem Uchegbulam highlighted key components of the 9 policies as enshrined in the 2018 Disability Law.
According to him, the policies are expressly discussed in part i – ix of the Discrimination against Persons With Disabilities 2018 (Prohibition) Act, which covers the rights of PWDs on Accessibility, Health, Special consideration on queues, Certification of disability, Equal opportunity to employment and Education.
“It will interest you to know that if any person contravenes section 26 (1) which talks about queues, the person is liable on conviction to a fine of N50,000 or a term of six months imprisonment or both” he explained.
Another member of the disability task team, the Commission’s Head of Women and Unit, Mrs. Patience Ogolo-Dickson spoke on the policy around women and children with Disabilities.
She emphasized that the rights of children with Disabilities are equal to their counterparts and should not in any way be undermined.
Reacting to the policies enumerated, the founder and CEO of Human Rights Radio, Ahmed Isa expressed optimism that the society will get better with the level of awareness being created by the Task team on disabilities on the operationalization of the Disability Law.
He, therefore, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the disability projects in all spheres.
Mbanefo JohnMichaels I
Head Press and PR Unit, NCPWD
14th September, 2023
