- The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, CCD, the poor attitude of the government toward the passage of the Disability Bill into law
- Lack of Bill has been exposing people with disabilities to harmful practices
- PWDs have been excluded in all National Social Investment Program and other development programs targeted at reducing poverty in the country.
- The CCD has challenged nation’s leaders to rise up to occasion
- Other states of the federation are called upon to pass the disability bill without further delay
As the world commemorates the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities, CCD, has described as worrisome, the poor attitude of Nigerian government to ensure that the disability bill is passed into law.
The Executive Director of CCD, Mr. David Anyaele, in a press statement to mark this year’s International IDPD day, expressed dissatisfaction over the continuous neglect of the rights and welfare of PWDs in the country by past and present administration.
According to him, the absence of a legal framework to protects these rights and welfare of PWDs has consistently exposed them to incessant cases of discrimination and harmful practices.
The ED, also alleged that the relevant stakeholders, like the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki and the President have failed to fulfil the promise they  made to PWDs to pass the bill “We are worried that 21 months after the Chairman of the National Assembly and Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki promised to ensure the passage of the disability bill,….the Chairmen Senate and house of Representative Committee son Rules and Business are yet to present the harmonized copies of the disability bill before the floor of the two chambers for final passage”.
Mr. David Anyaele, also stated that PWDs have been excluded in all National Social Investment Program and other development programs targeted at reducing poverty in the country.
While applauding few states like Lagos, Plateau, Bauchi, among others for the passage of the disability bill, he also called on other states to pass the disability bill.
While stressing the need for collaborative effort to ensure the passage of the disability bill, Mr. David Anyaele, said that though the passage of the bill is the sole responsibility of the legislative and the executive arms of government, gentle push from International development partners, the media, Civil Society Organizations, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities can compel the two main players to pass the bill into law.
It may interest you to know that this year’s International IDPD day, has its theme as ” Transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all”.