The Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), FCT Chapter, has urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to take urgent and decisive action toward full implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018, declaring that true progress in the FCT cannot be achieved without the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
In a statement released on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), the association commended the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, for his efforts toward developing the territory. It, however, insisted that inclusion must remain central to all governance priorities, stressing that “progress without the inclusion of PWDs is not true progress.”
JONAPWD noted that the five-year grace period for compliance with accessibility provisions of the 2018 Act expired in January 2024, making continued non-compliance a violation of national law. The association called on the FCT Minister to immediately invite its leadership to a dialogue to jointly develop an implementation roadmap for full enforcement across all Secretariats and public institutions.
The group also urged the FCTA to establish the long-awaited FCT Commission or Agency for Persons with Disabilities, describing it as a crucial structure needed to coordinate health, education, empowerment, and accessibility initiatives in the territory. It further outlined key demands for immediate action, including the deployment of sign language interpreters, accessible public buildings, disability-friendly transportation systems, free healthcare and inclusive education, and enforcement of the 5% employment quota for PWDs across MDAs.
JONAPWD appealed to the FCT Minister to demonstrate leadership by ensuring that the capital becomes a model of inclusion. “Take the necessary steps today to ensure the FCT is a capital where no one is left behind,” the statement concluded.
The statement was signed by Ayoade Beyioku-Alase, Acting Chairman of JONAPWD FCT Chapter, who clarified that all official engagements of the association are authorized solely by the current Executive Council.
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