The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) has called on President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFRN) and state governments to commit to affirmative action to ensure at least 10% of all political appointments are reserved for qualified persons with disability.
The Executive Director, Grace Jerry, made the call in a press statement commemorating the inaugurations at Federal and state levels and set PWD agenda that will enhance Governance Agenda for an Inclusive Nigeria (GAIN).
According to Jerry, PWDs need appointments at executive positions both ministers, commissioners and heads of parastatals at National and state levels.
She urged the President to commit to influencing the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to develop and implement a special disability social protection scheme to cover out-of-pocket expenses on health by persons with disabilities.
“Through a temporary executive order and then through the permanent finance bill, import duties should be waived on the importation of assistive devices for persons with disability, thereby making it affordable.
“The executive or legislators should sign the National Trust Fund Act into law and fully implement it by the already existing National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPWD).”
The Executive Director also tasked the National Assembly members to commit to a champion tax rebate for employers complying with the 5% disability quota as incentives through an act of parliament.
“The President should be committed to influencing the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budgeting, and National Planning to include a line item on disability in the national appropriation budgeting template for MDAs.” She said.