CCD tasks Lagos state on special persons’ law implementation

The Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has called for the full implementation of Lagos State Special Persons Law (LSSPL) by public and private sectors in the state. Executive Director of the Centre, Mr. David Anyaele, made the call during the public presentation of a research report conducted by the centre on the level of compliance of public institutions in the state to the provisions of the law, held at Protea Hotel, Alausa, Lagos, at the weekend.

Anyaele regretted that seven years after the enactment of the LSSPL, compliance is still low. He stressed that the research was conducted as part of activities lined-up for the CCD’s project on Promoting Disability Rights and Citizens with Disabilities Participation in Electoral Process in Lagos State, which is supported by the Ford Foundation.

Anyaele hoped the research would serve as evidence-based data that portrays the level of implementation by public institutions and areas that need to be improved on, in terms of implementation.He also affirmed CCD’s resolve to deploy subtle approach in getting stakeholders to comply with provisions of the law, through enhanced sensitisation.

On his part, the Senior Programme Officer, CCD, Mr. Kola Ogubiyi, revealed to the public that the 52-page report contains key findings like the low awareness level on the provisions of LSSPL by public institutions and Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in the state; the weak enforcement of the provisions of the law on accessibility, inclusion and welfare of PWDs; and the non-existence of vital facilities at public buildings.

Speaking earlier, the Regional Director of Ford Foundation, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, represented by his Personal Assistant, Adesuwa Ighile, expressed dissatisfaction at the fact that Nigeria is not meeting up with international standards in providing public infrastructure such as ramps and elevators in most public institutions.