CCD Calls On Pres Jonathan To Assent To Disability

THE Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to assent to the disability bill recently passed by the National Assembly without delay so as to reduce the pain and agony of the people living with disability in Nigeria. 

The group in a press conference held in Elomaz Hotel, Maryland, Lagos commended the National Assembly for transmitting the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Bill to Mr. President for his assent. 

Addressing the conference, CCD executive director, David O. Anyaele said: “Interestingly, this is the second time this bill is coming to President Goodluck Jonathan’s table and third time we will be begging for assent on the bill.  This bill provides prohibition of discrimination against persons with disabilities, right to access to public premises, accessibility aid in public building, provision for situation of risk and humanitarian emergencies, service at queues, Prohibition of use of Person with disabilities in soliciting for alms and penalty, freedom of movement, right to free education, inclusive education, free education for special education personnel, participation in politics, and establishment National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, among others.”

Anyaele noted that the bill will be a legacy bill as no President has ever signed such bill in the history of the country. 

Also, the group expressed worry that issues affecting people with disabilities are not being raised in the ongoing electioneering campaign. 

Anyaele said: “CCD is worried that political parties across board and their candidates are silent on issues of concern to Nigerians with disabilities in their electioneering campaign, even when you see on the television a sign language interpreter for Presidential candidates campaign, yet we continue to observe a culture of silence among political party candidates on issues of critical concern to Nigerians with disabilities. 

“Issues such as disability law, inclusive and accessible education, and unhindered access to healthcare, vocational training, access to job opportunities, rehabilitation and integration of Nigerians with disabilities are some of the issues of critical concern to Nigerians with disabilities that are missing in the electioneering campaigns among political parties. 

“CCD calls on National, State and Local Government Chairmen of all the political parties to advise their candidates to mainstream disability issues in their electioneering campaign by addressing issues of concern to Nigerians with disabilities.”

The group expressed shocked that INEC is doing little or nothing to enhance equal access to eligible Nigerians with disabilities in the 2015 general elections.