By Lanre Oloyede
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities, Comrade Mohammed Abba Isa, has assured that his office is committed to ensuring that no stone is left unturned in efforts to achieve full compliance and implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
The Presidential aide stated this Tuesday at a public hearing on the implementation of the National Disability Act organized by the House Committee on Disability Affairs and Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities (JONAPWD).
According to the SSAP, the theme of the public hearing: “Legislative Mechanisms for Domestication and Implementation of the Disability Act Implementation,” underscores the critical role that legislative bodies will have to play in ensuring the effective enforcement of this law.
As the key primary implementer of the National Disability Act 2018, Comrade Abba Isa noted that one of the fundamental pillars of effective implementation is the establishment of robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
The SSAP stressed that Stakeholders must hold themselves accountable for the promises they have made and the commitments they have undertaken, while insisting that transparency and accountability are non-negotiable if they are to succeed in this endeavor.
The senior aide to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commended the effort of the House Committee on Disability Affairs, JONAPWD, the Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, the UK International Development and other development partners for putting together the all-important public hearing.
To achieve effective implementation of the Act, Comrade Abba Isa called upon all stakeholders to join hands in creating a more inclusive Nigeria where every person, regardless of their abilities, can thrive and contribute to the prosperity of the nation.
“We cannot do it alone. We need the support and partnership of the legislative branch, judiciary, Civil Society, development partners and all segments of society.
“We must continue to collaborate with all stakeholders – including persons with disabilities, advocacy groups, civil society organizations, and the private sector – to address gaps in accessibility, education, employment, healthcare, and social services.
“My office is connected to 774 local government and the 36 states including the FCT and we are open to partnership and collaboration from everybody including development partners, donor agencies, OPDs, CSOs MDAs and other stakeholders in the disability community,” the Presidential aide stated.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman of House Committee on Disability Affairs, Hon. (Dr.) Bashir Dawodu, noted that the public hearing presented an occasion for members of the disability community to have interactions with their legislatures to discuss how to move forward as regards the implementation of the National Disability Act.
While explaining the three key duties of the legislature, Hon. Dawodu noted that the first duty of the legislature is to make laws which is what they have done with the enactment of the National Disability Act.
He added that the second is oversight which is what they are about to embark upon with the implementation of the Act.
Lastly he said the third duty of the legislature is representation which is to make sure that voices are heard and their concerns are appropriately presented before the house for consideration.
Hon Dawodu further explained that the Disability Act is all about the protection of the rights of PWDs in Nigeria, while noting that though the Act is not a perfect one, hence the house has initiated an ongoing amendment process.
“This law provides a solution to stigmatization problems of PWDs. This law provides for accessibility of PWDs in Nigeria. With this law, no excuse for organizations to say we don’t have ramps etc. This laws provides for free education for PWDs from primary to secondary schools.This laws provides for access to transportation. This laws guarantee 5% employment quota. This laws provides for inclusive healthcare delivery for PWDs,” Hon. Dawodu explained.
The House Committee chairman on Disability Affairs announced that the next line of action for the committee is to go all out and investigate all MDAs and agencies for compliance to the Act having secured the backing of a resolution of the House on a motion that was moved in that regard.
He assured the members of the Disability Community that the house committee will stand by them and make sure their rights are protected.
On his part, the National President of JONAPWD President, Mr Abdullahi Usman Aliyu, called for synergy among House committee, office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities and National Commission for Persons With Disabilities (NCPWD).
Mr Aliyu promised that JONAPWD will coordinate the process of realizing such synergy.
In her reaction, Prof Khadija called for more attention to be given to the deaf because they are the minority among minorities.
Other participants who spoke at the event decried the failure of the Act to capture issues of discrimination relating to women and girls.
