Reps move to ensure accessibility of public building to PLWDs

The House of Representatives has taken a significant step aimed at ensuring that persons living with disabilities (PLWDs) gain access to public buildings in the country.

Adopting a motion sponsored by Mr. Bashiru Dawudu at the plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abass, the House mandated its Committee on Disability to probe the compliance level of public buildings with accessibility regulations.

Moreover, the committee, which is expected to submit its report within four weeks, is to prevail upon regulatory authorities to ensure adherence to the approval of building plans with accessibility facilities.

While justifying his initiative, Dawudu argued that Sections 3 and 4 of the Disability Act provide that a person with a disability has the right to access the physical environment and public buildings on an equal basis with others, including sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, elevators, crutches, and toilet facilities, to make them accessible and usable by persons with disabilities.

He remarked that it was unfortunate that, despite the expiration of the transitional period for making modifications, persons living with disabilities still cannot access public buildings.

He noted that the failure to make public buildings accessible to persons with disabilities has hindered their inclusion and full integration into Nigerian society.