The discrimination against persons with disabilities prohibition Act specifies that persons with disability have the right to access the physical environment and buildings like others.
To ensure equality, and fairness and reduce discrimination against persons with disability, the House of Representatives has taken a bold step to investigate discrimination against disabled people.
The motion, sponsored by Rep.Lanre Okunlola (APC, Lagos), stated that Sections 3–8 of the Discrimination against persons with disabilities prohibition Act, 2018 specifies that persons with disability have the right to access the physical environment and buildings of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government on an equal basis with others.
Rep. Okunlola said that persons with disability face all measures of stigmatization, and discrimination in all sectors adding that statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that about 30 Million Nigerians are persons with disabilities.
“Most persons with disability face stigmatization, discrimination, violence, lack of access to physical structures such as Transportation, Health, Education, Housing and other necessities of life,” he said.
OrderPaper recalls that the national assembly passed a bill on discrimination against persons with disability which was signed into law by former President Muhammadu Buhari. Rep. Okunola stressed that if this bill is not fully implemented by government agencies the difficulties faced by persons with disability will continue.
“Aware that the national assembly passed the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act and signed into law by former President Muhammed Buhari, but most Ministries Departments and Agencies of Government are yet to implement the Act, which is contrary to sections 1-21 of the Disability Act, 2018; disturbed that if discrimination against persons with disabilities prohibition act is not fully implemented, the challenges faced by persons with disabilities will persist and the socio-economic development of Nigeria will remain.”
The bill was adopted and the House resolved to mandate the Committee on Disabilities to investigate the compliance level of Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government (MDAs) to the Disability Act, 2018.