By Chris Njoku
The National Assembly has urged Houses of Assembly to domesticate the Discrimination against Persons with Disability Prohibition Act, to protect the rights of persons with challenges.
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Persons with Disabilities, Princess Miriam Onuoha, spoke at a retreat organised for members of the committee in Owerri, Imo State.
She said despite the existence of legislations to protect the rights of over 35 million Nigerians with disabilities, they were still subjected to psychological torture following infringement on their rights by the public.
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Onuoha, who represents Isiala Mbano, Onuimo and Okigwe Federal Constituency, said the National Assembly was committed to ensuring inclusion of persons with disabilities in all spheres of the society, whether in access, mobility or employment.
“This committee will work in partnership with other relevant organisations to ensure that the rights of persons with disability will not be infringed on and to ensure the full weight of the law on anyone who contravenes this law.”
The Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, James Lalu, lamented that persons with disabilities were often abused and discriminated against by the same persons that should protect them. He called for a more robust approach towards uplifting the challenged persons.