HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES INVESTIGATES NON-COMPLIANCE TO DISABILITY ACT BY MDA’s 27-02-24
By Sadiq Aminu The House of Representatives has mandated its committee on Disabilities to investigate non-compliance by Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government (MDAs) to the Disability Act, 2018.
This followed a motion by a member from Lagos State Mr. Lanre Okunola, on the need to investigate compliance level of the MDA’s.
Mr. Okunola emphasized that MDA’s are yet to implement, Discrimination Against Persons with Disability Act, 2018, which provide that persons with disability has the right to access the physical environment and buildings
on an equal basis with others.
The member noted that if the act is not fully implemented by the MDA’s and other relevant stakeholders the challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities will persist and the socioeconomic development of Nigeria will remain impaired.
Mr Okunola, pointed out that there has been continuous stigmatization and discrimination against 30 Million Nigerians who are living with Disabilities despite the Disability Act was worrisome.
“Most persons with disability face stigmatization, discrimination, violence, lack of access to physical structures such as Transportation, Health, Education, Housing and other necessity of life;
“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
section 1-21 of the Disability Act, 2018”
Adopting the motion, the House referred the motion to the Committee on Disabilities for further legislative action.