….Provides 131 disabled people with prosthetic limbs, cash

The spokesman for the House of Representatives and member representing Ekiti North constituency 1, Mr Akin Rotimi, has called for the enforcement of the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act 2019, which provides that public buildings, structures, and vehicles must be made accessible and usable for people with disabilities.

The Federal lawmaker noted that despite the fact that the Act came into effect in January 2024 after a five-year moratorium, many public buildings, including Banks, eateries and places of worship, were yet to comply.

Recall that the Act prohibits any form of discrimination against individuals with disabilities and imposes penalties for breaches. The penalties for Non-Compliance for corporate bodies is N1,000,000, while those of individuals are N100,000 or six months imprisonment, or both.

Rotimi, who spoke yesterday at the flag-off ceremony of the prosthetic limb support for 131 people with disabilities, which took place at the Ekiti State Skill Acquisition Centre in Ado Ekiti, lauded the Ekiti State government for being proactive, saying, “that is why If you look at every public buildings that the government has built, they have all been compliant.”

He said: “Currently we have the prohibition against people with disabilities Act 2019 and in the act what you will find is that it gives a five year moratorium that by January 2024, all public buildings in Nigeria must become compliant with the law to make access for people with disabilities. I also have repeal and reenactment of that bill because I want some things corrected and improved upon.

“First and foremost, there is a need for sensitization about that Act, if people are not aware, they cannot implement it from the local governments, States and national level. We have a lot of public buildings; we have banks, eateries, places of worship, and the law says that every public building must comply with that Act for disabilities access. There is also the need for enforcement.”

“Today we have 131 beneficiaries that are having different categories of limb loss. Beyond today’s empowerment programme, we are advancing landmark projects that reflect the spirit of Leaving No One Behind. These include a Motherless Babies Home, a School for Children with Special Needs, and a Specialty Health Centre for the Critically Disabled. Each project is designed to stand as a legacy of care, empowerment, and opportunity for generations to come in Ekiti North 1.”

In his remarks at the occasion, the wife of the Ekiti State governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji said that the current administration has also shown inclusiveness by employing an unprecedented number of persons with disabilities in government, alongside numerous programmes and policies that make Ekiti a model of social inclusion and equal opportunity.

“This vision aligns perfectly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and the compassionate leadership of our Mother of the Nation, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, whose heart for the vulnerable continues to inspire us all.”