The Centre For Citizens With Disabilities (CCD) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the appointment of Executive Secretary and Board members of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
Executive Director of CCD, David Anyaele in a statement welcomed the development saying that the approval of the list of Board members of the NCPWD was a clear statement that the Federal Government has commenced full implementation of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2018 also known as the National Disability Act.
He said the approval of the composition of the Governing Council, Executive Secretary, and subsequent dispatch to the National Assembly for screening is in fulfillment of section 33.3. of the National Disability Act which provides that the Chairman of the Council and one representative each from the six geo-political zones shall be appointed by the President subject to the confirmation of the Senate.
“We say a BIG THANK YOU to President Buhari for taking this bold step in the implementation of this Act through the approval of the composition of the leadership of the Commission,” Anyaele said.
The CCD boss however called on President Buhari to take appropriate measure to ensure that the budget of the NCPWD features in the 2021 appropriation to avoid financial hiccups in the take off the Commission.
“We are approaching the last quarter of 2020. Without proper budgetary appropriation for the takeoff this Commission, the approval of the composition of the Governing Council may turn to a waste of time and energy.
“We call on the members of the NCPWD Board to take advantage of this office to ensure the full implementation of the National Disability Act by all Nigerians both in public and private sectors, as the time to change disability narratives in Nigeria has come.
“We also call on all organisations of, and for persons with disabilities, development partners and the private sector to support the takeoff of this Commission as this is the first time Nigeria is implementing a law that protects its citizens with disabilities from discrimination and other harmful practices,” he said.
Anyaele also assured the leadership and members of the Board of the National Commission for Persons with disabilities of CCD’s commitment towards providing technical and other supports to ensure the attainment of the mandates of the Commission.
He also expressed gratitude to all partners for their support to the campaign for the full implementation of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), just as he singled out the media for their solidarity in this struggle.