Reps Set To Probe MDAs’ Compliance With Disability Act

The Federal House of Representatives has on Tuesday resolved to investigate the compliance level of Ministries, Departments and Agencies with the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities Act.

The House resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by member representing Surulere II Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Hon. Lanre Okunlola.

Section 1 (1) of the Discrimination Against Persons With Disabilities, 2018, provides that “A person with disability shall not be discriminated against on the ground of his disability by any person or institution in any manner or circumstance.

Sub-section 1 (a ) further stipulates a fine N1m on corporate bodies while (b) provides for a fine of N100, 000 on individual or six months imprisonment or both in the event of violation.

Moving the motion titled “Need to Investigate the Compliance of Ministries, Department and Agencies to the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act, 2018,” the lawmaker

The Lawmaker noted that Sections 3–8 of the Act Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act, 2018 specifies that persons with disability have the right to access the physical environment and buildings on an equal basis with others.

He also argued that persons with disabilities in Nigeria face stigmatization, discrimination, violence, lack of access to physical structures such as Transportation, Health, Education, Housing and other necessities of life.

The Lawmaker recalled that the National Assembly passed the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities Prohibition Act which was signed into law by former President Muhammed Buhari in 2018, regretting however that “Most MDAs of government are yet to implement the Act, which is contrary to section 1-21 of the Disabilities Act, 2018.

Hon. Okunlola further noted that if the Act is not fully implemented, “The challenges faced by persons with disabilities will persist and the socio-economic development of Nigeria will remain impaired.”

Following the adoption of the motion, the House mandated its Committee on Disabilities to investigate the compliance level of MDAs to the Act and report back for further legislative action.