Group commends passage of disability bill

Centre for Citizens with Disability (CCD) has commended the Senate for passing the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill 2016.

According to a statement endorsed by the director general of the Centre, David Anyaele, the passage marked the fourth time the Nigerian Senate will pass the legislation, which protects more than 25 million Nigerians living with different forms of disability against all forms of discrimination and harmful practices.

“We are indeed grateful to the Senate President, Sen. Bukola Saraki; Chairmen, Senate Committee on Sport and Youth Development and Senate Committee on Poverty Alleviation & Social Welfare, Sen. Obinna Ogaba and Sen. Malam Wakili respectively for the speedy presentation of the bill before the floor of the Senate in line with our appeal to the Senate President, Sen Bukola Saraki on March 3, 2016 and Sen. Obinna Ogba on December 16, 2015 respectively during our advocacy visits to the National Assembly for the speedy passage of the bill by the Senate.

“The bill contains provisions that would ensure people living with disabilities in Nigeria are protected against discrimination, right to access to public premises, accessibility aids at public building, access to road and side walk, protection at situation of risk and humanitarian emergencies, prohibition of use of persons with disabilities to solicit for alms. Also, the law provided for the right to free education, right to free healthcare, prohibition of segregation, right to work and employment, provision of special communication at hospitals, right to participation in politics, and a National Commission to address complaints of harassment, discrimination and harmful practices against persons with disabilities, amongst others”, Anyaele stated.

He therefore called on the Speaker, House of Representative, Hon.Yakubu Dogara to take appropriate measure to ensure that the House of Representative passes its own disability bill to enable the constitution of a joint Conference of the National Assembly for the harmonization of the bills passed by both Houses of the National Assembly.