Mr Daniel Onwe, President, Association of Lawyers with Disabilities in Nigeria (ALDIN), on Tuesday called for full proper enforcement of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2019.
Onwe made the call during the commemoration of the International Day for Persons with Disabilities.
Dec. 3 every year has been set aside by the UN as the International Day for Persons with Disabilities.
The celebration is indicative of a commitment of the global community to put persons with disabilities at par with others in terms of exercise of fundamental human rights.
In a statement jointly signed by its President and Secretary, Messrs Daniel Onwe and Gaius Ogah, respectively, ALDIN reiterated its call for enforcement of the recent disability legislation to improve the lives of Person With Disabilities (PWDs).
NAN reports that the National Assembly, in January, enacted the Discrimination against Person with Disability (Prohibition) Act, 2019.
Onwe said: “Persons with disabilities have, in diverse forms, been deprived of rights fundamental to the existence of every human, and have been characterised by poverty, low self esteem and low life expectancy, in spite of their enormous potential.
“Legislation has become the most veritable instrument for correcting the disadvantaged stead of persons with disabilities and equalising their opportunities.
“Other countries of the world have, through the relevant pieces of legislation, bettered the lives of persons with disabilities and, by so doing, made their societies better places for everyone.
“It was indeed a long walk to the eventual enactment of a National Disability Legislation in Nigeria; that is, the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act.’’
According to him, President Mohammadu Buhari, made history on Jan. 23, 2019, by signing into law the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act.
“Having signed into existence the said law, it remains for it to be demonstrated to positively change the destinies of persons with disabilities in Nigeria forever.
“Therefore, it is expected that the president takes the necessary steps toward enforcement of the Act, such as the immediate constitution of a National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD).
“This commission will spearhead the implementation of the Act.
“Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government have the immediate duty of reserving five per cent of their labour force for qualified persons with disabilities in line with the Act,’’ he said.
He said that this would enrich the country’s labour force with the peculiar giftings of persons with disabilities.
Onwe said that private bodies as well as individuals had responsibilities to stop discrimination and make the society conducive for the development and contributions of all persons.
“The Act has come to stay and should be implemented to the letter for the good of Nigerians.
“It is the reasonable expectation, therefore, that Nigerians would willingly comply with the provisions of this Act, considering the good things it holds for everyone,” he said.
He noted that court actions were not necessary in ensuring compliance with provisions of the law, and expressed the hope that the Act would be enforced without delay.
“Making Nigeria a better place for every Nigerian is a task that must be accomplished,” he added.
