The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria Samuela Isopi, has urged the 10th assembly to ensure that the priority of Nigerians especially the disability communities were reflected in the 2024 appropriation bill.
Ambassador Isopi gave the advise in Abuja , during an interactive session with leaders of the disability communities to commemorate the 2023 international day of persons with disabilities.
She urged the National Assembly to critically examine the gaps of the law, ensure all policies are inline with UN convention on disability community, adopt necessary amendments and implement the 2018 discrimination Against Persons with disabilities (Prohibition) Act to promote inclusion of all persons in Nigeria.
The Executive Secretary National Commission for Person’s With disabilities James Lalu, gave assurance that the federal government is committed to the implementation of the 2018 disabilities Act while also ensuring better life for the PWDs across board.
Also speaking the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Disability Bashiru Dawodu, explained that the committee have the mandate and support of other members to implement the disability act 2018.
” we are looking at the policies, more importantly we think the act needs amendment because, it does not specifically address the needs of children with disabilities, Women on wheel chair, child right act, VAP Act does not capture penalty for abusers, insurance for PWDs are not properly captures, all of these must be amended” Dawodu promised.
In their remarks some of the PWDs like Dr Chike Okogwu, Louis Auta and others decried poor accessibility of public facilities by PWDs especially in school environment, lack of education support and poor participation of women with disability in decision making table.
Ms Auta suggested that there should be a database for women with disability, stating that it would guarantee better employment opportunities, financial support and empowerment for the disability communities”
Earlier the founder of TAF Africa Mr Jake Epelle said the meeting was to enable the stakeholders from the disability communities to meet with the EU Ambassador to discuss issues affecting the PWDs and establish better synergy.