PWDs Decry Lack Of Commitment By Of Culture To National Disability Act

… Task States On Speedy Adoption Of Act

By Matthew Ogune, Abuja

Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has berated the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture over its lack of commitment towards the implementation of relevant sections of the National Disability Act.

CCD Executive Director, David Anyaele who disclosed this yesterday in Abuja maintained that other line Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) responsible for the implementation are not also committed to the implementation of the provisions of the Act.

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Anyaele wondered why the Ministry was not alive to its responsibility even when it has been tasked with the responsibility of promoting the rights, respect, and dignity of persons with disabilities and capabilities, achievements as well as contributions of persons with disabilities to the society.

Noting that, the primary responsibility of any government is to ensure the safety of lives and property of its citizens, he said that more commitment towards the Act would go along way towards reducing incidence of disability in Nigeria.

The director called on federal and state governments to show commitments towards access to rehabilitation and reintegration services for persons with disabilities to ensure reduction of PWDs beggars in our communities.

He added: “Federal and States Governments commitments to access to healthcare services, inclusive education and poverty alleviation programmes and access to public infrastructures among persons with disabilities.

“Hunger and poverty are increasing day by day in Nigeria. Poverty is a major driver of disability in the country as Nigeria is now known as nation with highest concentration of poor people in the world.”

Anyaele urged Abia, Enugu, Rivers, Imo, Oyo, Benue, Delta, Borno, Kaduna, Ogun, Bayelsa, Cross River and Edo state governments to adopt the National Disability Act to ensure the protection of rights of persons with disabilities in their States.