Group urges Buhari to sign disability bill into law

The Centre for Citizens With Disabilities (CCD) has called on president Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Nigeria disability bill into law without further delay.It said the bill was in consonance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

In a statement by its executive director, David Anyaele, the group said the bill contains provisions that would protect people with disabilities in the country were against discrimination and other harmful practices.

The bill provides for rights of persons with disabilities to have access to public premises, accessibility aids at public building, access to road and side walk, protection against risk and humanitarian emergencies, as well as prohibition of using them to beg for alms.

“Also, the law provides for the right to free education, free healthcare, prohibition from segregation, right to work and employment, and provision of special communication at hospitals.

It further provides for the right to participation in politics, and a National Commission to address complaints of harassment, discrimination and harmful practices against persons with disabilities, among others,” the group stressed.

According to CCD, article four of the UN Convention mandates states to adopt all appropriate legislative, administrative and other measures for the implementation of the rights recognised in the convention and take all appropriate measures.

These, it stated, include legislation to modify or abolish existing laws, regulations, customs and practices that constitute discrimination against persons with disabilities, as well as take into account the protection and promotion of rights of persons with disabilities in all policies and programmes.

While commending the National Assembly for passing the bill, the group urged the clerk of the National Assembly to transmit the bill to the President for assent without delay.